When we go to school we get taught that we should study, go to Uni and become a good "insert profession here". Of course our parents, teachers and friends all want the best for us - so they give us advice on how to get as far as we can in the first 10 years after school. 

If you go the predicted route of getting a well-paid job and climbing the corporate ladder, you will indeed become someone of corporate success 10 years down the track. However if your passion is table tennis, pursuing that will be 10 years of possible pain hard work, and pure determination. The same can be said for most entrepreneurs with a dream. The next 10 years has no guarantees and no easy way.

Needless to say, choosing to ignore your passions will ensure you have an easy 10 years after you graduate. This was the plan my parents wanted for me too. They of course want what's best for me. 

Now read this extract by Gary Vaynerchuk that I stumbled upon through this article, and it really got me thinking.

What about your last 10 years?

If you take the easy road, by sticking to the safe road, compromising what you are passionate about to have an easy next 10 years. What about how you will feel down the track?

The pain of regret seems like a small minute irritation in the future, since present pain is always amplified vs, future pain. But I can predict that the pain of regret is going to make your last 10 years miserable.

For those that are thinking of starting a business or trying to choose between passion and financial security, take a moment and think about whether you will regret this decision when you are looking back on your life. 

Will you live in the closest average home or take a journey to live in your dream mansion?