originally posted on mattabbo.com

The pressure and stress of modern living is compounding as economies fall, resources decrease, and the real estate on which we live is subdivided. At the same time, prices continue to soar as we squash into the convenience of city centres. Does all this pressure lead to the development of diamonds? Or are we simply living with crushed dreams?

We got an education.

We spent our youth developing our minds in an education system focused on analytical regurgitation. University provided a time for growth in search of a degree that may define us, and give us the edge. While we were trying to develop our minds, bodies and souls in the confines of the university environment, it became easy to lose track of the outside world. A time of drinking, sex, parties and loud music can do that to you.

Some of us were lucky to be funded by our parents, and we let our minds begin to believe that the standards of living provided to us by a wealthy upbringing would remain — this has a great impact on expectations. Having experienced this, we are now under pressure to find a salary that will allow us to maintain this lifestyle. Privileged some of us were — but maybe being forced to start waitering or searching for other ways to make money at a younger age would have been beneficial? I have seen guys really excel because their minds have been working at this money problem for a lot longer than others.

Homeschooling is a new alternative worth looking into for new parents, if they can avoid the pressure of traditional approaches to education, there could be a brighter future for their kids — a competitive advantage, a true diamond.

Then we looked for jobs - without experience.

Something a university degree used to cement as a sure thing now means close on nothing (still better off until hack-schooling takes off). In order to get a job, you need experience. Experience normally comes from having a job. This makes this process awfully hard. One option is to work for free, gain experience, and reapply. Your best choice is to network. People get jobs through other people, simple as that.

Many of us will work for corporates. And that’s cool if it’s for you, I guess. But I still believe it will destroy your soul in the long term. This pressure certainly doesn’t create diamonds. I fear that every possibility of coming up with something unique is slowly removed from you as you become a cog in someone else’s machine.

Make an effort to start side projects. Finding your unique way to make money is how you could survive in this world. And if you can align it to something you are passionate about then you really win.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. — Confucius

I’ve moved from one institution to the next throughout my life. Michaelhouse, UCT, a corporate job at Property24 and now I’m in the startup game with Zapacab. I am one of the luckiest people I know for being granted this path. But for some reason, it’s not enough for me. I don’t know if it’s because I have been programmed to believe I can achieve anything I wish, but I feel I could do more. In fact, I feel it is expected. It feels like part of me is not truly living up to my passions.

Are we following our passions?

This is a new one. Our parents didn’t experience the peer pressure of the modern world. They got educated, got a job, and painstakingly climbed the ladder. It was shit, and many of them are unhappy about it. But we have the opportunities to hack our own path if we choose to. One that matches up with what really gets us going on this planet.

Social media does a good job of making us feel worthless. Like we aren’t achieving enough. And additionally there is the possibility and reality that your life may not be as flexible as the next persons. But that doesn’t mean you give up. You start working towards it, even slowly. Otherwise, the next thing you have been convinced that project management is significantly more important than playing an instrument or painting landscapes. As much as I love PM, it’s not

If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. — Alexander Hamilton

In my experience, the only way to follow your passions is to get outside your comfort zone. And that is extremely difficult for those of that have grown up with luxuries. To suddenly make the choice to forgo things that bring us such pleasure is difficult. Sometimes there is too much pressure keeping us in the comfort zone.

My parents never put unnecessary pressure on me. I’ve seen other parents attempt to live through their sons rugby careers from the side of the field — never my parents. They always pushed me in the right direction. And I’ve succeeded I believe. But I haven’t yet traveled the world or devoted my time to my music or writing, and that’s something that my privileged life is missing. Guess we always want more / what we can’t have / everything.

With 2 years left on earth, what would you rather be doing? Start working towards doing that.

Do our bodies look good?

Pressure is certainly a sculpting factor here. From girls forcing themselves to throw up so they can look as skinny as the runway models, or guys pumping their bodies full of steroids and the like, we really are stretching our bodies. Ironically, the worldly pressure to look good certainly has it’s benefits for our generation. People are healthier than ever before in many regards. I fear we are misguided though.

Physical appearance is only a serious concern for limited years. What about how your body will perform when you are 40? Or 80? Do you have a strong core, or simply some inflated biceps?

How to release the pressure.

When looking at your life, there’s usually a strong correlation between future potential success and your current responsibilities. If the path doesn’t make sense, maybe it’s time to make a new path.

You’re the average of the five people you choose to spend the most time with — Jim Rohn

Choose people who build you up and release pressure — through laughing or being that shoulder for the shit days. Try and communicate with your friends and girlfriends/boyfriends — we all have so much knowledge, but we struggle to share.

We complain instead of confronting the issue at hand. I’m often a victim of my own inability to do this. Only when the pressure is too much, do I pop, speak up and resolve the issue. Then I feel like a million dollars.

Lastly, always spend 25% less then you earn. Saving for a rainy day greatly reduces pressure.

Take risks before responsibility.

Financial pressure is tough now, but then there is buying a home, cars, and saving for your future kids education in a few years time. Now that’s expensive. Take chances before it’s too late.

As we grow older we are no longer ignorant or naive. We start to forget how to break all the stupid rules that are put in place to subdue us. The youth of today has that chance better than we do. So we need to act now. I met a kid the other day. He’s 19 and just started his second company. He’s not even the slightest bit arrogant. He’s naive and incredibly intelligent. He’s taken advantage of a world that didn’t exist when we were in matric. Why aren’t we doing the same?

Stop expecting. You will always be disappointed. Continue to remain hopeful.

Get out into the world. Explore, experience, and find happiness in your own unique calling.

They say without pressure, there are no diamonds. Screw that. Build your dreams, and crush the diamonds.

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