The Campbell Academy Blog (53)

The Vacuum

More than 15 years ago now, I walked out of a nice, steady, well-paid job in the space of a few weeks.

The practice I worked in had been bought by a corporate and my principals wanted me to sign a contract to stay for the next 18 months but instead, I gave up what I had there and created an enormous vacuum in my life, seeing what would happen when I let the world just happen to me.

When I made that step, that transition across, I couldn't see in any way what the future might hold or what the endpoint may be.

I didn't really have a map or any journey to follow, and I guess that just must have suited my character at the time.

Nowadays, though, people are so hung up on the endpoint, on the goal and what it is they strive to achieve, whether that be a level of income, a house, a car, or a type of relationship. They're so fascinated and obsessed by where they might get to that they miss a bit in the middle.

None of my plans have ever really worked out.

I realised this as I was listening to the podcast we did with Rony Jung a while back.

You can listen to it here if you'd like.

One of the most celebrated implant clinicians, researchers, and educators in the world admits to us that none of his plans ever worked out.

I never intended to be here because I didn't know he existed; I never set a goal to get to this or that; it just kind of happened by accident.

I just try to enjoy the ride along the way and do the best I can, and not p*ss too many people off, and life just happened like this, and then when there was a chance, I took it, and when there was another one, I took it again.

Two lessons for life that I'm learning as I head well into my sixth decade: there is no map, and that's okay. The second one is that when the chance presents itself in front of you, you probably have to grab it with two hands instead of worrying about the little details.