9 Hints You Might Be Living Someone Else’s Life

Are You Living Someone Else’s Life?

By Allen Vaysberg

Long ago my wife came up to me while I was watching a three-hour Cubs game and asked a simple question? “Why do you watch other people live their lives instead of living yours?” That insight from my brilliant wife hit me like a ton of bricks. Why was I investing so much of my own time watching from the sidelines? I pondered that for a moment and went back to watching the ballgame, saw the Cubs lose, got upset and spent the rest of the day sulking; which, of course, proved her point further. I should have done something else with my free time.

From that moment on, however, her question stayed with me and has become a part of my internal guidance system. I am now very conscientious of how I occupy my time and do my best to spend it wisely. I also teach how to do so to my clients. Thus, in addition to sports on TV, here are nine ways to check if you are living your life or someone else’s.

 
9 Hints You Might Be Living Someone Else’s Life
Living Someone Else’s Life Hint #1 – Social Media

Like many things in life, social media is of dual nature. It is a provider of incredible communal support, research, learning opportunities, and ability to meet like-minded people. On the other hand it is a constant flow of information (useful and otherwise) that sucks you in and never lets go. If you find yourself using Facebook, Twitter, or any others for more than 30 minutes a day, then it is either your profession or your obsession.

 
Living Someone Else’s Life Hint #2 – Television

Raise your hand if you have already devoured season three of “House of Cards.” Keep it raised if you feel a bit empty now that “How I Met Your Mother” has ended? Feel free to swap out above examples with your favorite television series and the point will remain. Why is their made-up life so important to you? And if you proceeded to give me a long list of answers or a middle finger then you most likely are living someone else’s life on television.