By Kim Artlip, Columnist
On February 16, 2019, one of our matches at IGNITE Wrestling is going to be a ‘bucket list match’ when Deathproof Aaron Epic takes on Fred Yehi. Now some people consider a “bucket list” as a list of things to do before you die, it can be a reminder of our own mortality, and death is typically something we would rather not think about. But, actually when it comes to wrestling it is one of the best motivators that we have as promoters and wrestlers to push ourselves out of complacency and work toward lofty goals.
So should you get into gear and get started? Heck yeah! The process of writing a bucket list forces you to take a close look at what it is you truly desire, to analyze where you are versus where you want to be. It very well may be the career, children and home, etc., but it may also be something entirely different.
By asking yourself what you truly want, setting goals and consistently reexamining your goals, you gain a self-knowledge that will propel you in the right direction. A bucket list gives you a reason to spend that extra hour a day working, putting meaning behind the extra effort because the additional money will be why your dream of wrestling against an ECW legend will come true. It can help bring back the fire that you once had for the sport and it exposes the passion you thought you had lost many years ago.
I’ve talked quite a bit on various podcasts, interviews and even in the books that I have written about goals, legacy and following your passion. But that certainly does not mean that I don’t have a bucket list myself of goals and accomplishments that I have for both myself and IGNITE Wrestling. I keep it on a massive dry erase board that is in my line of sight in our company office so I never lose track of what I seek to achieve.
So looking ahead at 2019, what do you want to achieve in your personal life and career? What have dreamed of doing but never taken the actionable steps to achieve? How many things did you say you were going to do in 2018, that you simply didn’t get to, pushed to the side, or just plain forgot about?
If you’re like 99% of the population – probably more than you’d like to admit.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret to my success. A big part of the reason I’ve done so much over the past 4 years, is simply because I tell people I’m going to do it.
The more I do that, the more it seeps into your brain, that maybe it’s actually going to happen. A few small forward steps, and all of a sudden I am watching IGNITE Wrestling shows on Roku and FITE. We ran a show in Orlando during Wrestlemania week and they were all goals I had talked about openly and worked toward tirelessly.
Don’t be shy about putting it out there to fans, promoters, family, and friends what you want to accomplish. Sure, there will be people in your life that don’t have your passion, drive or desire to make things happen. They will openly mock you and insult you. They will demean you and ask you when you plan to get a “real” job or start doing something more serious with your life. Allow me to let you in on a little secret…this is your life. Screw them.
Do you want to look back at your life when you are 80 years old and think, what if? No one wants to live a life of regrets so let’s kick this into gear. Write those goals, publish them, reach out to promoters and workers that you have dreamed of working against. You never know what may happen.
It’s for us to maximize every moment of every day and live our life to the fullest. It’s a reminder of all the things we want to achieve in our time here, so that instead of pandering our time in pointless activities, we are directing it fully toward what matters to us. You may never make it to WWE but think of all the amazing matches you can have that people will never forget. It’s about reaching goals, pushing harder and staying focused. You got this!
Honestly, life is too short to be spent doing something you don’t love. This was why I changed careers in my 50s to enter an industry that I have zero experience working within. I have never looked back ever since — for the past 4 years, I have never been happier, more fulfilled and more challenged in my life. It has been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done and I plan to do this for the rest of my life.
You need to find your passion and trust me when I say that working on an actionable bucket list and seeing yourself grow will fire your passion in every aspect of your life. What is your passion? Is it to be a wrestler? To sing and perform? To be the best that you can be?
Take the next step, starting brainstorming and writing down those goals that you have. Create that bucket list. It’s time for your to ignite your fire, and follow your dreams.
Kim Artlip, Owner + Promoter
772-999-0857
facebook / twitter/ instagram skype – @kimartlip
FOLLOW IGNITE WRESTLING
facebook / twitter / instagram / youtube / vimeo / pinterest / Official TWITCH partner / Pivotshare / FITE TV / DailyMotion
Get IGNITE WRESTLING merchandise HERE
Want More? Choose another story!
Visit ProWrestlingStories.com - Your daily source of wrestling history and nostalgia!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
