The other day, I spoke with a friend, and he asked me why I had left my teaching career as a public school teacher. I told him that I looked into the future and saw something interesting. What I saw were all the students I had taught in my life. All the students who fell in love with learning, the students who were hungry for knowledge, the students who grew in not only height but knowledge, and we cannot forget all my incredible troublemakers. At that moment, I realized that life is like a jigsaw puzzle. Life can be chaotic at times. However, we will be anything if we have structure and a regimented schedule to handle the day. Now, let’s dive into how life can be similar to a jigsaw puzzle.

Whether you get a four-piece puzzle or a 500-piece puzzle, the methods for completing it are similar. For this, we must figure out how you would solve a mystery. Most people do the straight edges or side pieces of the puzzle first. That is your foundation. These are the teachers we have in our lives. They teach us the basics and what is rudimentary, but they let us focus on the inside of the puzzle (what’s inside us). These teachers leave a lasting imprint on you while providing a solid education to begin your journey.

The next thing people tend to focus on is the images. It can be words or pictures. These are the mentors that we have or have had. They teach us things we won’t find in a textbook. They guide us in ways to solve more of the puzzle. These people come from different backgrounds, and each has some wisdom to instill in you. You will have countless mentors you will learn from in life, and then the few who will skyrocket you to success.

The hardest part of the puzzle is the sections where the colors can be confused or misinterpreted. At this point, there is no right or wrong way to do the rest of the puzzle. Some people look at the shapes of the puzzle and keep trying to fit it into various spots. These are the people who keep on trying but never seem to get far quickly. When an attempt to fit a piece into a hole and it doesn’t fit, it counts as a “failure.” This might cause frustration for many, and they might quit before the puzzle is complete. They settle for the foundation and some teachers and mentors in life that got them that far. They are leaving some of the best parts undone.

Next, you have the people who study and learn to find all the pieces of an unidentified section and build from there. This still has hardships, but the fact that they are not guessing entirely will set them up for quicker success. These people have a plan in mind. They are not aimlessly slapping pieces together but taking life in sections instead of all at once. These people focus on their development and skills so that they can grow into any role they desire. These folks become the jack of all trades.

Lastly, you have people who get the corners done and may do a few images, but you won’t see them complete or even attempt the rest of the puzzle. Those are the people who have become complacent where they are. They could care less about the beauty of the entire puzzle because what they accomplished is good enough for them. They do not want to do more work because of the imminent challenge. They stopped before they realized that it was no longer fun but a lot of work.

The work you put toward life will one day give you a complete puzzle. Leaving a section of the puzzle until later is procrastination, which will prolong the completion date. You will say that the puzzle is too much, so you let it sit on the table and gather dust. Years have gone by before you know it, and you are nowhere near solving the puzzles. Maybe someday, you will have found a piece or two, but it was never connected to any of the foundations. We must learn not to procrastinate and start taking immediate action now. If you’re thinking, “I need to fix my life,” recognize that the first step is tackling those unfinished sections.

I knew my role as a teacher in the students’ lives. I knew I was a great role model and that I could make a difference with my passion for helping others and teaching. However, the impact was too small. There would only be a handful of people I would have reached. I know I can help more people than a handful. I’m not saying that teachers do not make an impact, but I just wanted that impact to be a bit more grandiose.

I saw teachers I looked up to have devoted their whole lives to being the best teachers they could be. I told myself they were unique and wanted to be just like them, but I noticed something missing when I saw them in their old age. I saw the students, teachers, and parents that loved them. However, I was missing some of the pictures still. In their lives, there needs to be a foundation for their students. I want to be more in their lives than just the foundation. I want to be a person who can help an individual notice their foundation and teach them to build upon that. If there are rips, tears, and holes in that foundation, then it is I who will help their mental integrity so that they can build their empire.

It is only a matter of time before people learn to tap into their potential. Some can do it more easily than others, but some need to be pulled or guided along. The flame inside them or that seed they have needs some nourishment. One day it will grow out of control into an undeniable focus that no one can ever stop or take it away from them. I want to be that guide to help others complete their puzzle. If you feel the need to fix my life, consider how you can cultivate that focus.

The metaphor for the puzzle is who we choose to become in life. Are you the person who is complacent with what you have done in life? Even if you did not complete the puzzle, will the urge be there to get it done? Perhaps you are the person who puts in the effort but doesn’t seem to get far at a rapid pace. You keep failing and get nowhere fast, but there is an easier way. Then the last person is the person who plans—the person who studies and is ready for the next section. Forming good habits and techniques can help you solve this puzzle of life more quickly. You will learn your strengths and build on them until you master them. Solving the puzzle never seemed easier at this point.

This puzzle of life is an unknown picture we try to piece together daily. We sometimes have great luck, and some days we fail miserably. When we are putting the puzzle together, we are putting it together one piece at a time. Just as in life, we handle things one day at a time. If we have that mentality when striving for success and that desire to reach our goals, we will one day succeed. Always remember that the next piece is always one step away. Keep striving to attain the life that is destined to be yours. If you feel compelled to fix my life, know that you have all the pieces you need; we will reach goals one piece at a time.

Until then, friends,

Michael Rearden

Founder of Reven Concepts