When you climb the ladder and end up on the wrong roof

I was at an event in March and the speaker replayed his talk on his podcast that was recently released. He used the metaphor, “when you climb the ladder and end up on the wrong roof”. This really hit home for me. It was like a light bulb that went off on my head.

If you have ever worked on a roof or put up Christmas lights you know what you need to position the ladder in a way that is leaning up against the house and has firm foundation. You look up to make sure it is square to the gutter or facia boards and the feet are on level ground. There is no way you can mistake the house you are supposed to be working on or that the ladder isn’t position properly. You take all these precautions before even walking up the rungs.

But in life, we take the first job that makes us money. It gets our foot in the door. We start working. Then suddenly it’s 5 years, 7 years, 10 years, 20 years later, we are still at the same company, possibly doing the same job, with no end in sight. We’re too invested in the pension, 401K, or the insurance to make a change. This could lead to the “stuck” feeling or “mid-life crisis”.

We look back and wish we would have done something different. We literally, and figuratively, climbed a ladder and ended up on the wrong roof.

That’s the message I want to empathize. I want you to be more purposeful, intentional, or passionate about what you do. Whether it’s professionally, personally, or with your family, have design with what you do.

I am not perfect at this now, but I am working on it. I am planning, designing, and being more intentional to what is going on and how I live my life. I want to have more freedom. I want to have more money. I want to live a better life for my wife, my kids, and myself.

How am I doing this?

First and foremost, I am here creating this blog for you. Dad.First is more than a project for me. It is a gateway to freedom and being a better father. I am doing this for the long haul. It is not a get rich quick scheme but a passion to not only be better myself but be better for others.

Secondly, I am living a more intentional life. I have set limits and parameters on my phone to make sure I am more present with my kids. I am creating boundaries within myself to be the best dad I can be.

Lastly, I am visioning, dreaming, and achieving, what I want to get out of my life and it slowly happening. As the flower blooms in the spring, I am slowing working on getting the life I want and need. By going to events, talking to people, and working with others I can get what I want out of life. It is not easy but when purpose and vision are aligned, anything is possible.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog so you get it into your inbox or follow me on Instagram @beadad.first. You can always add your additional thoughts into the comments on how you expand your tank in your life!