Last night I hosted a webinar (click here to watch the recording - you may see an error, but just click on download or open icon at the top right of the screen and you should be ok, or email me and I will get a copy to you) on getting clear about what you love, and living the life you were born to live. It was like a real coming home for me, because if I have one particular obsession, then it's this;
So many people are tolerating a job/career that they don't love!
There are many of us who have simply 'settled'. And at some level, that's ok. Like Lori Gottlieb's controversial book called 'Mr Good Enough' there are certainly some benefits to 'Job Good Enough' (pays the bills, path of least resistance). But isn't it our birthright to find a vocation, something that we feel excited about, and gives us a sense of purpose and contribution?
And as I have mentioned before, in today's global and highly connected world, we have opportunities that have never been available before. The future of work is a completely different landscape to 9 to 5 dross.
So why aren't more of us doing work that we feel really lights us up?
1. We think that it's as good as it gets, and that everything is FINE.
Mel Robbins has a great Ted Talk on how to stop screwing yourself over. In it she references the F word, and the F word is FINE. So many of us are disconnected from how crappy things really are (and that's not just limited to work by the way). I have attached my pre assessment matrix that I send my clients, which is a great way to work out where things aren't going well in your life. It is a worth while exercise to take yourself through this, and get clear on where everything isn't just fine.
2. We aren't exploring our options.
To change anything requires some investment of time and reflection. Often we know what our favourite perfume or football team is, but we actually don't know what motivates us. There are countless books, coaches and seminars available, which will help navigate the landscape of our hidden desires, but it requires us to take action. We also need to look externally and research what's available, you would be amazed at the exciting ways that some people make a living, but you have to do a bit of digging to find them.
3. We think it's too hard, too risky, we're too tired or too old
What other excuses can you come up with? My wonder mentor Christina Guidotti talks about the excuse addiction. Over the next decade, the number of economically active people aged 65 or over is projected to increase by one third. You are never too old, you can take responsibility around your boundaries to manage your exhaustion levels, and personally I think there's greater risk and it's harder putting up with the status quo!
For most of us,it's the self doubt that's the killer. It sneaks into our minds - 'I can't really do that'I don't have what it takes'. I will shortly be releasing my audio series where I interview people who are doing what they love (thanks to those of you who have agreed to this, and I will be reaching out to others soon, please let me know if you would like to be interviewed). Every one of them managed to create a career out of what they love. Of course they all experienced some self doubt at some stage, but they pushed themselves through it, and are now reaping the benefits!
The four step process to illuminating your legacy
Download my white paper below for a more detailed overview of these, but essentially, this is what you need to do.
1. Get to work on clarifying your uniqueness or identity
2. Work out how you will share that uniqueness;
1. Employee
2. Entrepreneur
3. Expert/educator
4. Enabler (essentially starting a movement)
3. Get out there and share your value
4. Get clear on what's NOT working in your life (the assessment matrix is a great start :-))
In my thought leaders tribe there are a few of us who are obsessed with this. Rebecca Morris of Paradigm Shift has published a great blog just this week, on getting out of your day job if you wish.
Jane Anderson's podcast on personal branding has hit # 1 in it's category on iTunes, and is well worth a listen. Branding is one of the most important things to get right, when illuminating your legacy.
If you are not earning money doing what you love, then what are you going to do about it? Until the end of this month, I am offering my three hour clarity session at a special rate. This really helps people to get that first step sorted. Click here for more details, or let me know if you want to talk more about it.
Just do something, life's too short!!
