Aaron Goldfarb is the author of the hilarious, but also deep book “How to Fail – The Self-Hurt Guide“.
I wanted to share his unique point of view with you on this blog. We often are so serious about everything in life and forget to have a good time, both in our jobs and in private life.
At the same time, we try so hard to keep up with our friends and colleagues without really wanted to pursue whatever goals in life they have. What do we end up with? An unhappy marriage, kids we don’t want, a job we hate and a miserable life altogether.
The earlier we wake up and create the life we really yearn for the better for our health and well-being. It’s OK to be a failure in other people’s eyes, as long as you are a huge success in yours.
Why does the topic of living your passion matter to you?
Because I’ve always been one of those people stupid enough to be a dreamer. I’ve been writing and creating and dreaming about making a living at it since I was a little boy. So it’s always been inconceivable to me when I’ve met people that didn’t know what they wanted to do in life.
How could you not?! So while those people baffle me, I’ve always admired the people living (and, better yet succeeding) at their passions. And the quality of stuff they produce or give to the world is always superior to people just going through the motions.
In your book, you write about someone who seemingly a failure in life, but actually has a good time. How much of yourself was poured into this character?
Autobiographically, a little. Idealistically a lot.
How do you define being successful versus being a failure?
One way and one way only: you’re happy.
How does following your dreams transform to your daily life?
The bad: you will work longer and harder and, often at the beginning, for much less rewards than “normal” people. To quote Ernest Shackleton: “Honor and recognition in case of success.”
The good: you’re a lot happier doing it. Now to quote Krishna: “You have a right to your labor, but not to the fruits of your labor.”
What tips do you have for readers who are sick of living to society’s standards and would like to make a change?
Just do it! Simple as that. Of course, these people will bemoan “It’s not as simple as that. I’ve got a boss/career/mortage/wife/kids/
image/blah/blah/blah.” Yet you’re also miserable 9-to-5 if not 24 hours a day. You can come up with a zillion excuses not to pursue your dreams, but there’s one great reason that beats all those lame excuses: because it makes you happier than anything else in the whole damn world and you will be dead soon. And now I actually sound like the kind of self-help gurus I detest!