Life's Journey

We all have those valued friends from childhood – the ones who shared in our dreams and adventures. But as time unfolds, our paths diverge, and our ambitions can set us worlds apart.

Today, I have a story to share, It's about difficult choices and the price we pay for progress.

I once stood where you stand now. In 2022 I was 25 years old working as a software developer. Surrounded by friends, comfortable, yet driven by a strong desire towards something greater. My goals were sky-high, and unfortunately, not everyone around me was willing to climb.

Childhood Friends

The friendship I had revolved around drinking, partying, staying up all night talking about subjects that will never progress our lives. And as for work, just the regular employees that complete a set hours of work during the day and then getting back to the irrelevant things in life. That year, an opportunity came me way. I got into a poorly managed, falling security company, with no salary, but with the goal of bringing it back on its feet and getting ownership of it. The gap between me and my friends started to get bigger and bigger by the day, especially when working two jobs. But the sleepless nights held me back from getting up early and putting in the hard work towards my goals in this company.

The Sacrifice

So I was faced with a tough sacrifice - stay grounded or seek out new opportunities. to choose progress, I had to walk away from friends whose ambitions didn’t align with mine. Keep in mind, this isn’t about arrogance; it’s about alignment.

If you want to grow, You have to leave the nest. Being around people who don’t strive to push their own boundaries will hold you back. And eventually you will give up and stay the same.

There is no way around it, you need to surround yourself with those who are climbing too. People who are a few steps above you on the ladder of life. Because they challenge you, inspire you, push you into uncomfortable places. And that’s, where growth happens.

I started looking for friendships with those who have their gaze fixed on the stars, those who challenge us to outdo ourselves day after day.

It’s not easy, and it may feel selfish to leave behind longstanding friendships for personal goals. But if you're not selfish with your dreams, if you don’t make them your priority, how can you achieve them?

In Summary

My goal today is to tell you that it's worth it! Your future is shaped by the company you keep, so always choose your friends consciously.

Take a look at the relationships in your life. Are they helping you move forward, or holding you back in the past? Your time, your dreams – they are your most sacred possessions. So Guard them fiercely.

Be brave in pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. After all, we only have one life. Make it count...