My Personal Journal

On Wednesday my 5 week trip to Bali came to an end, and what an amazing trip it was. I instantly fell in love with the island and that fondness grew stronger over the duration of my stay.

However, there’s one particular part of this trip that had really struck a chord with me. That reminded me of something important that I would like to share with you.

One day I decided to leave the hustle and bustle of Canggu where my villa was and spend a night at Lovina beach with is a 2-hour ‘motorbike’ ride up towards the top of Bali.

To get to this part of Bali you have to ride up into the mountains before coming back down them into Lovina. It was a breathtaking journey and I loved every minute of it. However, I saw something whilst starting my ascent up the mountain. Something that blew my mind in disbelief.

After passing through a crazy amount of bustling traffic and making my way through the sweeping roads was a sight that was both astonishing and inspiring. At first, all I could see was a mountain of merchandise, an eclectic mix of stock items that seemed to defy gravity. It was only when I looked closer that I realized there was a moped underneath, and riding it was a man whose determination was palpable even from a distance.

This wasn’t just any moped; it was a small, humble machine, clearly not designed to carry such a heavy load. And the roads? They were steep, with sharp bends that would challenge even the most experienced rider. Yet, here was this man, navigating through traffic, balancing his business on two wheels, and heading towards the mountains with a purpose that was as clear as day.

It made me wonder: How many times have we held ourselves back, waiting for the perfect moment or the right tools? How often have we let the lack of resources deter us from pursuing our dreams? Here was a man who, by all accounts, didn’t have the “right” equipment for his journey. Yet, he was pushing forward, undeterred by the challenges, driven by sheer passion and ambition – and probably the need to provide for himself and his family.

This man’s journey on his overloaded moped was a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and tenacity. It was a vivid reminder that the path to our dreams is often laden with obstacles, but it’s our will and determination that determine our success, not the tools we possess.

Starting a business, pursuing a dream, or taking that leap of faith requires courage. It’s easy to find excuses: “I don’t have the right resources,” “The timing isn’t right,” or “I’ll wait for the perfect moment.” But the truth is, there will never be a perfect moment. Conditions will never be just right. Waiting for the stars to align might mean waiting forever.

The moped man of Bali didn’t wait. He didn’t let the size of his moped or the weight of his merchandise hold him back. He took action, fueled by a burning desire to succeed. His journey was a powerful lesson in perseverance, a reminder that it’s not about having the best tools but about making the best of what you have.

So, to anyone reading this, whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a dreamer, or someone standing on the precipice of a significant decision, remember the moped man. Remember that the road to success is paved with challenges, but it’s our passion and ambition that drive us forward. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the right tools. The best time to start is now.

In the grand tapestry of life, it’s the threads of passion, ambition, and action that weave the most beautiful patterns. It’s the stories of people like the moped man that inspire us to push beyond our limits, to defy the odds, and to chase our dreams with unwavering determination.

As I continued my journey up the mountain with a warm, happy smile on my face, the image of the moped man faded into the distance, but the lesson he imparted remained. In that fleeting moment, he became a symbol of hope, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. And as the sun set on that beautiful Balinese day, I was reminded of the infinite possibilities that await us when we choose to take action, regardless of the circumstances.

So, here’s to the dreamers, the doers, and the believers. Here’s to those who, like the moped man, teach us that there’s no excuse not to start, no reason to wait, and no obstacle too great. All you need is passion, ambition, and the courage to take that first step. The journey might be challenging, but the destination is worth every twist and turn.

To your health, wealth and happiness.

Andy Black

P.s. – Feel free to drop me a comment below!

Did you know that in the 1930’s, economist John Maynard Keynes predicted that ‘eventually’ people would be working a 15 hour week.

His analysis shown huge leaps in technology, production and automation.

However, his prediction was wrong – and in modern times the average person works 5 days per week, equating to 37-40 hours of their life, each week, engrossed in work.

Do you know why? Consumerism.

After the 1930’s technology advanced and cars, computers, TV’s and electrical gadgets were in reach of the average person – almost.

People wanted stuff and ‘keeping up with the Jones’ became a thing. People wanted the house, the car, the electrical goods – and that all came at a price!

But here’s the thing – Humans aren’t biologically built to work long hours. In fact, humans are generally productive for around 2.5 hours per day – with regards to work.

Meaning that the rest of the time we are less productive – yet glued to our desks, work stations or place of work.

Over recent years there has been a movement. Groups of people who are campaigning for a 4 day work week – Giving people more time with their friends and family, and more time to live their lives.

After all – That’s the whole point of living, right?

So, what’s the thought process behind the 4-day work week?

Studies have been carried out that proves we can work less hours, and still achieve the same level of work (or even more).

In fact, trials for the 4-day work week were carried out in Iceland with overwhelming success.

People in Iceland had their work days reduced down to 4 days per week whilst getting paid the same, but for shorter hours.

Productivity remained the same for the majority of workplaces, and in some cases it even increased.

The reason for this is because working less results in less stress. Freeing up that extra day to spend as you like increases happiness, productivity and focus.

People found that due to the extra time off work, they were able to effectively compress their workload into a 4 day week.

Their work didn’t suffer, and their life was improved. Sounds like a win / win situation, right?

Over the last month or two I have been researching this, as this is something that I want to move to myself. In fact, my goal eventually is to move to a 3-day work week. Work Monday to Wednesday (and be extremely focused) and free up Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to do as I please.

Hike, explore, and live my life whilst I’m able to.

My business is VERY flexible as it is, and if I want to take time off, I do it. However, it would be good to make this a way of life, rather than a ‘spur of the moment’ whim.

Would you like to work less and LIVE more? Do you think you can find a way to do it?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this so feel free to post a comment below.

Remember, you’re in charge of your own life, and if you want to make changes in your life, you have the power and will to do so.

It’s simple – Formulate a plan and then execute it.

We have one shot at this thing called life and it’s your responsibility to create the life you want. I know I am.

To your success

Andy Black