Two paths and I can't choose

[JMonkey]

My life until now has always been pretty indecisive, I had dreams but due to reasons which most people fall to, I have never followed them. Point is, I am now making the concious effort to turn my life around and reach my full potential.

There is a problem - I have two paths, both with their merits and I can't really distinguish which one I prefer.

1: I'm currently retaking an English GCSE course to get a required C so I can join the RAF as a Weapons Systems Operator (Linguistics) I would love this as I'm a very active and adventurous person. Being in the RAF would give me oppotunities I wouldn't get as a civilian, a lot of things would be subsidised or very cheap. Also there would be a better chance of me becoming a fast jet pilot (my childhood dream) - Still a very slim chance but much greater than being a civilian. Loads of adventure and travel, but quite restricted in terms of living.

2: I complete my personal trainer course and become a PT full time. I love the gym I love the environment and I love working with other people and helping people achieve their goals. I know there are quite a few PTs out there but if I was going for this I'd endeavour to be one of the best. I'd also complete some lifecoaching courses to run in parallel with being a personal trainer. This life would be less adventurous but freedom will allow me to do what I want when I want.

I think of both these scenarios and both of them whip me up into a happy and enthusiastic frenzy. Obviously that isn't the right idea though, I need one path and one choice but I'm struggling to find out which is my true path.

One point is that I have until I'm 36 years old to do the RAF job I want, but once I'm in I'll pretty much be in for 14 years.

Can anyone help me in the right direction? Much appreciated in advance.

[Tanja]

So if you miss out on joining the RAF now you won't be able to do it later?
I'm not sure how old you are.
Couldn't you pursue the dream of becoming a PT full time after leaving the RAF?
If you'd like to become a fast jet pilot I'm only guessing you'd have to be in a good physical shape, so you'd have to train as well, maybe use that time to improve your knowledge in the PT area, help your colleagues train and see what works best or not with some people when it comes to exercising.
How do you feel when you consider ''giving up' one of these options?

[JMonkey]

Ah yeah, I'm 26, so I've got just under 10 years to sign up. I feel the same about both situations
It's tormenting me a bit now, I just wish I could feel slightly better about one than the other.

[Tanja]

Okay, I see it this way, 5 options:
1)if you join the RAF now, stay there 14 years, you'll be 40 when you get out. So you'd still have a chance of pursuing the PT career.
2) On the other hand, if you start your PT career now, and still want to pursue your RAF dream later, at the age of 36 your PT career would be brought to an end. (if you don't wish to start as trainer at 50)
3) Go with the RAF as your only career.
4) Go with the PT as your only career.
5) Choose something else


You'll have to make a decision eventually so try putting pros and cons on paper, maybe it helps you clear up your head.

[sweetbutt]

ciao!

I give you my perspective on this since is the kind of "analysis" I'm doin to my purpose also. (and yes..I feel a little bit "stuck" also )
In these cases I tend to get inside the real nature of what I'm about to do in order to distinguish what's really all about. I mean the r.e.a.l. core. the real nature.

Just picture I'm in your situation. everything below is something I would do so it doesn't necessarily meet your decisions since I don't know you nor your purpose as a human being

the RAF job would be being a former military. to be part of this, apart from the personal benefits you mentioned, brings many other aspects I would personally think of.
Being part of the military world is, at the end, being part of the world's "war machine". Even thought war is something that exist I let it exist but I don't absolutely want to be part of it in any way cos I KNOW want to give a positive contribution to the world. and war is definitely not the case.
This would crash this option in a second for me. period.

My question to you now is:

apart from adventure and all the nice features available..

what kind of contribution you want to give to the world?

if you say "positive" then you should let this deal with the true nature of being a former military.

have you ever thought about this from this view?

I've always thought I could be a damn good intel agent. I'm also active, adventurous, I love strategy, being lucid, being efficient, I love to travel the world and do things hidden since I was a kid and I'm also a very creative person which could help a lot in many situations
but I don't give a damn' hell about flags
I don't care about being italian nor being a patriot.
So I can never do a job like this (being also a military) since I would have no reason to contribute. and fuel runs out fast if there's no reason.

you say you love fitness and love helping people to achive their goals, and still have the chance to dive into adventures whenever/wherever you want

well this sounds much of a better way for me (that I want to give a positive contribution to the world)

Military life can be adventurous but if you've read any of andy mcnab's books you can learn adventure can also be a big pain in the _____ (fill the blanks )


wouldn't be better to choose why-where-when I want to dive into an adventure, travel the world, see new corners of earth rather that being "sent" without choosing with my tastes, feelings and curiosity? and then come back home still doing what I love but having a nice rest and then replanning something else ?

I'd definitely choose the second option

but this was my role playing.

what's yours?

[Tanja]

Originally Posted by sweetbutt

what kind of contribution you want to give to the world?

A good question!

[TiffyLove]

I believe being torn between these two choices is another way of the mind still sabotaging you from following either one of them. It (not your true self) wants to stay where it is, comfortable and in the known.

See it doesn't matter what choice you make either one will be perfect. Just choose one.

Although both give you the same feelings, deep down inside you know which one is calling you more. You might be scared to admit it but you know.

Sit with yourself, meditate or ask yourself plain and simple "Which one should I pursue?" The first one that pops in your mind is the answer.

And after you choose don't ever second guess it. Choose one and go after it 100%, do not give the mind room to beat yourself up and allow it to cause doubt and pain.

Start living one of them NOW.

[hoporr]

jMonkey:

Often, deciding between two options is very hard.

At this point, you seem to be focusing very much on your life missions (your career), but it might help you tremendously if you could set a Vision for your life before you make this decision. There is a distinction here, which I will explain.

As somebody already said, think about the contribution you want to make. You can also think about what you want your life "to stand for," or even what your legacy may be at one point. Basically, you must find the meaning for what your life is to be *for you.* Then work out a Vision statement (a short paragraph) that you can repeat to yourself whenever you need to.

That is at the center. After that, you can project that vision into several "missions" that fulfill it. A mission, then would be something along the lines of your career path, just as you stated above. Working on these missions is how you bring your Vision alive for yourself and your world.

Now finding your Vision is admittedly not easy. In my book, I point out several ways that combine your interests, moments in which you are in "flow," mindmapping, etc. that let you discover several choices, from which you then can cast this mission. Such a vision quest should not to be done quickly--especially if you are talking about a 14 year commitment. But it is absolutely crucial if you want to live a fulfilling life.

For before you can be fulfilled, you must know you are.

I wish you the best life. Enjoy, and Be True!

Hanns-Oskar Porr
The Steps Of Essence: How to Live Life Well and Authentically.
SeinQuest also on Amazon.com

[Manomanman]

I vote: Go shoot some people. Sounds like fun! Just watch out for the Karma, I hear its a bitch.