The Unexpected Wake-Up Call: A Simple Blood Donation Turned Life Lesson

Last week, I had one of those moments that was both embarrassing and a little too real. My doctor told me I needed to give blood due to high hemoglobin and an excess of red blood cells. I went in, feeling confident, like I was about to save the world. I’d just eaten lunch, my energy was up, and I was ready to go.

Everything started off smoothly. The nurse got the needle in my arm, and my blood was flowing. I even joked around, asking how long it usually takes and what the fastest time was—because, of course, I was determined to break that record.

But then, it happened. Out of nowhere, I started feeling lightheaded. I told the nurse, "Man, I'm starting to get lightheaded." Before I knew it, boom!—I was out. I came to in the weirdest way, seeing the nurses in front of me glitching, like some kind of Matrix effect. I was aware, yet I couldn’t control anything; my eyes were darting back and forth uncontrollably.

When I fully came around, I felt like I’d been out for years. My body was sweating, I was dazed, and it took me a minute to remember where I was. It turns out I had passed out three times. I was embarrassed, and I’ll admit, a little pissed off. Not because of the passing out itself, but because I wasn’t in control. For once, I couldn’t just get up and walk away.

Control Is an Illusion, Especially for Entrepreneurs

As entrepreneurs, we thrive on control. We love being able to plan out our lives, our businesses, and even the pace at which we’ll achieve our dreams. But this experience reminded me how little control we actually have. We tell ourselves, "I’ll get to that tomorrow, next month, or next year," always thinking we have more time. But here’s the truth: we don’t.

Every day is a gift, and tomorrow is never promised. Yet we still put off our dreams because we’re so sure we have more time. For me, passing out while giving blood was an unexpected wake-up call. No matter how much I wanted to stay conscious, my body decided otherwise. And even after I woke up, it took time before I could stand and walk out of that clinic.

A Call to Action: Don’t Wait for the Right Time

So here’s my question to you: What are you going to do now, while you’re still in control? While things are still good?

Life is full of obstacles, but also opportunities. We don’t always have a choice over what comes our way, but we do have a choice in how we respond. Too often, I see people letting life happen to them, just floating along without intention. They let their circumstances dictate their direction.

When you realize that time is your most valuable asset and that there’s no guarantee you’ll have tomorrow, everything shifts. You start to think and act with urgency.

Prioritize Your Priorities—Starting Now

It’s time to set your priorities and schedule them. Just as you would make time for a $200,000 client project, make time for you, your growth, and your business goals. Mark it on your calendar—this week. It might be Tuesday from 4–6 p.m. or Friday from 1–4 p.m., but whatever it is, don’t let it slip by.

Scheduling intentional time for yourself and your business growth is worth far more than a big payday. This is your future self calling on you to show up. Don’t let them down.

You have this moment, right now, to take control of the things you can control. So, set your priorities, overcome your obstacles, and start building the life and business you’ve envisioned.

-Ryan Lee

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