Striving With Purpose

December 25, 2007

Striving and Thriving

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.

~ Margaret Young

I get a Daily Inspirational Nudge from Valerie Young at Changing Course. She’s a creative career change wizard. I use the word wizard because all the feminine magical terms seem to have very negative connotations.

I can’t even use the word “genie” because Valerie will point out that has the same root as “genius.” Instead of talking about her own accomplishments she’ll focus on the unique abilities and gifts of each individual, our own “genius,” or inner “genie.”

The quote above jumped out at me when I saw it in my in-box. It helps me realize there’s a lot of backwards thinking bouncing around.

We want to have plenty of money and time and freedom before we’re willing to find our passions and live fully in alignment with our values. Isn’t it possible that our passions and values will lead us to more freedom, liberate our time (as we delete things that aren’t in sync with them), and lead to greater success as we work from our greatest gifts? In fact, is it really possible to do it any other way?

We want to have fame and acceptance so we can be pleased with ourselves—so we can like ourselves. Regardless of fame, regardless of acclaim, we won’t like ourselves until we take time to know ourselves and see what unique qualities we bring to the world. And other people are more likely to like us and accept us when we start by liking ourselves.

We think we have to have a perfect plan all worked out before changing careers, starting a business, or starting a new chapter in our lives. But we’re not going to see most of the steps until we get going. We have to head out into the fog of not-knowing before we can start to find our way. Trailblazers don’t blaze highways!

We want adventure and excitement in our lives, but we want to plan it and make sure we’ve saved up for it and won’t get bumped “off-course” from our careful plans. But as we build our dependence on institutions and organizations, we lose our independence, which is the core of our ability to have an adventure.

I heard another great quote in a Coaching seminar: “Just get moving; you can always change lanes later.” The energy of action is powerful, and more important than being totally prepared and exactly on target when you set out. Michael Masterson tells us, “Ready, Fire, Aim,” explaining that often it’s getting started and making effort that matters most. The details get worked out along the way.

The excitement, the adventure, the joy, the passion, and the deep happiness follow our action. We must take risks—calculated risks, not wild and crazy risks—and give ourselves a chance to create and express and discover. We have to get out and do. We have to strive towards expressing our authentic selves as fully as possible. Then we will thrive.

Posted in Striving and Thriving, Zine 3: December 2007