Brian's old habits

 Brian was known around the office as the easygoing mail delivery clerk. He approached life like he did everything else — on cruise control. Every day, he’d breeze through his deliveries, leaving just enough time to catch a quick skateboarding session with friends or squeeze in a few extra gaming hours before bed.

While his colleagues discussed promotions or future goals, Brian tuned out. “I’m good where I am,” he’d say, waving off advice. He told himself that ambition was overrated; his relaxed routine was all he needed.

One evening, while skateboarding at the park, Brian collided with a stranger who turned out to be Eric, a former national skater who now ran a sports marketing firm. They struck up a conversation, and Eric casually asked, “So, what’s your plan for the future? How does skateboarding fit into it?”

Brian shrugged. “I don’t really have one. I work to get by, then hang out and do what I like.”

Eric smiled. “Sounds chill, but let me tell you something. Skating taught me that staying in your comfort zone feels good — until it doesn’t. You can’t nail a trick you’re afraid to try, right? Life’s the same way. New requires effort, risk, and breaking out of routine.”

That night, Brian couldn’t get Eric’s words out of his head. He realized that his days blurred together because he wasn’t aiming for anything new. His choices — avoiding challenges, skating through life — had kept him in one place.

The next day, Brian approached his manager and asked for training in logistics operations. It was his first step toward something different. It wasn’t easy; juggling study and work cut into his gaming and hangouts. But the pride he felt after nailing his first big project was worth it.

Brian’s transformation wasn’t instant, but it was real. He still skated and gamed, but now he also worked toward a career path that excited him. He learned that life offers infinite new tricks — but only if you’re willing to step outside the bounds of old habits and give them a shot.