Choose Your Character: The 2024 Dustin Update
You ever met those people who just seem to know?
Like, they’ve cracked the code of who they want to be and what they want to do. Their lives? Basically a video game, new level, high score, repeat. Meanwhile, I’m stuck on character select.
But honestly, I think their secret is simple: they actually define who they want to be and then go for it! So let’s try that.
Things I want to be:
Healthy & fit
Actually good at relationships, partner, family, and friends
Relevant to the people I care about
Recognized and appreciated
Financially free
Charismatic
Simple
But…why? Because these things matter to me. Because I think they’re good, and I want more good in my life.
But what even makes something good? For me, “good” means:
It feels natural
It’s fun
It helps me get where I want to go
That’s it. If it’s effortless and enjoyable and moves the needle? I’m in. But here’s the catch: that good feeling almost never hits you on day one. Anything genuinely worth it is rocky at the start. (Netflix binges? That’s easy mode. But life-changing stuff comes with sweaty palms and awkward first steps.)
No one’s a natural from the jump. You suck until you don’t. This is my daily grind.
I’ve spent years tossing money and time into self-development: live events, online coaching, stacks of “this will change your life” books. The big lesson? If you want something that actually changes your life, your “why” has to be massive, so big you can’t ignore it, so clear you can’t forget it, even on your worst days. Your why should be your compass when everything else fades.
So far, I’ve truly applied this in one area: CrossFit. Right now, I can see myself doing this till I’m old and creaky.
Why?
Because a few years back, I realized health is everything. No health, no life adventures, no helping others, no creating cool stuff. It’s more than just looking good, it’s about building a version of myself that can keep going for a long, long time.
So: CrossFit, check. I know my why, the how, the where, the when. Feels pretty good. But what about the rest of my list?
Let’s be real, the one I crave most, the thing that keeps nagging at me, is financial freedom.
Yo, Financial Freedom, where you at?!
What does financial freedom mean to me? Simple: if I wake up one day and decide I don’t want to work anymore, I could … no drama, no stress. Doesn’t mean I’ll quit. If I stopped working, I’d start fading out, fast. For me, the real flex is having the choice.
Here’s where I’m at: I genuinely love what I do. Editing killer videos for a legendary energy drink company in Salzburg? Yes, please. The team rocks. The work’s fun. But here’s the thing: it’s still someone else’s dream. I’m trading time for money, a good salary, sure, but not the kind that sets me free.
So a couple years ago, I made a bold move. Dropped my 9-to-5 by 25%. The big plan? Buy time for myself, invest it in my own projects. Want to know how long it took me to officially register my business? Two years. Want to know how much extra money I earned in that time? None.
Sounds like a setback, but surprise!
That “unproductive” time gave me my first real taste of freedom, time to think, to breathe, to figure out my next step
The Work Game Plan
Here’s what became crystal clear: sticking at someone else’s company forever won’t cut it. I realized freelancing, consulting, and starting my own thing, that’s the path ahead. But hey, my current job is still cool. Big projects are coming up, and I want to be part of them, so I’m riding the 75%-employee/25%-entrepreneur wave for now.
The rest of my time? Two main missions:
1. Freelance Work
Been putting this off forever, but now I’m in. Sure, I’m still working for “other people,” but the rules have changed: now I pick the work and the clients. My biggest client right now is actually one of my best friends, and getting paid to make cool things with your friends is a major win. Okay, it’s still trading time for cash, but at least it’s on my terms.
2. Dustin the Creator
I’m all-in on the creator economy. Not your typical influencer. I want to make stuff, share what I know, and attract cool humans with similar vibes. Maybe it’s videos, written pieces (like this), or whatever wild idea pops into my head. The goal? Build a brand and a community. WeWill+ = endless possibilities, endless fun, some fails, and if all goes well, a product one day that the community actually cares about.
That’s the plan:
Keep the 9-to-5 at 75% while learning and traveling
Do freelance gigs that light me up
Build and share my story, my lessons, and my personal brand
And honestly? I’ve been more creative than ever. The feedback from friends? Solid. But even when I swear I’m making stuff just for myself, it’s easy to get caught up in “posting just to keep up” mode. Add a regular job on top, and yeah, creative blocks happen. A chat with my friend Luci led to this article: “Make a list. Get clear what you want, where are you now?” (Thanks, Luci.) And to my friends and family who believe I can pull this off, thank you. I believe it too.
Let’s get it.
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WeWill start now ;)
