How the Hell Did I get Here?

Welcome to Monday and the final week of July. Don’t fret though, there’s still plenty of summer left so let’s make the most of it.

A few thoughts I had over the past week.

Anthony Bourdain wasn’t a world class chef. And according to those around him, he would be the first to admit it.

And maybe because of that, he eventually found his niche and his real talent outside of the kitchen; First as the author of the New York Time’s bestseller, Kitchen Confidential, and then as the raw and unfiltered personality of several shows focused on food, culture and travel. Both earned him a cult like following.

I think there’s something compelling about a path that starts in one place and ends up somewhere completely different from what you ever imagined.

It’s actually kind of surprising to think back over the years and realize just how unplanned this stuff is. It’s like, “how the hell did I end up where I am now?”

For me, it started as a bus boy in high school and even pushing a broom in a manufacturing plant. But that eventually led to some entry level jobs in Accounting.

Somewhere along the line, I decided to go back to school at night to get my Bachelor’s degree. I finally landed where I am now, in the world of finance.

Outside of work, I was married in my early 20s, had 2 kids, divorced, dated, broke up with and got broken up with, and about 4 years ago, I married again. The best decision of my life.

I landed in a great place, but I went on a meandering and not always pleasant path to get there.

With the exception of being with someone I love though, I never want to stand completely still. And by “stand still”, I don’t always mean physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

I want to evolve, try new things (for me, this continues to be a work in progress), and succeed in other areas; Explore my options so to speak.

I actually get excited about the idea that where I am today probably isn’t where I’ll be in 5, 10, 20 years. And for me, that’s exactly the way I want it.

Have a great week,

Rick