I have noticed that successful people—and that is what this
book is all about, and by successful I do mean content and
happy rather than wealthy or famous—have outside interests
that don’t earn them any money or bring them any kudos.
Stuff they do for the fun of it, to be helpful, to encourage
others. They often find the time by doing it instead of watch-
ing more TV (seriously).
They become volunteers, mentors, school governors, local
business advisers, charity workers. They join groups, associa-
tions, clubs, societies. They get out there and belong and have
fun. They put themselves out there to make a difference or
share an interest. They go to evening classes in ridiculous sub-
jects. Maybe they laugh and poke gentle fun at themselves for
doing it. Maybe they even sometimes wish they hadn’t gotten
involved because some things can creep up and take over your
life. But they are part of something. Part of the world—in a
full and proper sense.
GETTING INVOLVED MEANS
ROLLING UP YOUR
SLEEVES AND GETTING
YOUR HANDS DIRTY
BUT HAVING A REAL
EXPERIENCE ALONG
THE WAY.