When I grow up…. I’ll do whatever lights me up!
From a very young age, all I ever wanted to do was make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. A difference that would truly matter. Where I could be part of something much bigger than myself, something that unites people behind a cause that would change the world for the better. But I didn’t know how to label this, how to articulate that one career, the one job title that would make it clear to myself and others. For years I felt confused, judged, and ashamed. I didn’t have the same clarity that others around me seemed to have, as my vision felt more elusive.
I am sure I am not alone when reflecting on those final years of school. A sixteen to eighteen-year-old trying to figure out what you do when this is all over. When everyone is preparing to go off to college, university, tafe, trade school, whatever it may be. And you find yourself feeling isolated in your own thoughts, as you just don’t know what it is you truly want to do. You pray no one finds out this dark secret, as for some reason you believe it is wrong to feel like this, to not know, to not want to follow the norm and do what everyone else is doing. You know that you have a passion for something, but perhaps don’t yet know what it is. And you just want some more time. More time to truly figure out what it is you are meant to do, because then you can set a plan, enroll in the university degree you should be doing. Apply for the apprenticeship that will get you to your trade outcome. Go to college. Get that dream job. Surely more time will get you to this outcome.
But why didn’t anyone tell us sooner that ‘more time’ is not the answer. That it is okay not to know what it is you want to do when you grow up and that most of us walking around are still trying to figure it out. What if it’s as simple as better understanding what it is you care most about, so you can intentionally seek out opportunities each day, week, month, year, whatever it is, to do more of the things you get the most joy and satisfaction from. Or even more simply, that life is whatever you want it to be.
Recently I was having coffee with a dear friend, colleague, and respected leader. He was sharing his personal journey towards discovering what he wants to be when he grows up. Previously he would have been setting a 5-year plan towards his aspirations of one day being a CEO though on this day, his response was different. He shared that his reflections have instead led him to focus on what impact he can have, what contributions he can make and how his actions and decisions are instead guided by what’s most important for his family and 3 gorgeous children. No longer focused purely on ‘growing up’ to become the CEO he had always imagined, although I believe he will still achieve this one day, he is focusing more on the journey rather than the destination.
It’s not about the job title, it’s about the impact!
There is refreshing comfort in embracing the statement ‘when I grow up, I’ll do whatever lights me up’ as it provides the opportunity for us to keep on experimenting, to not look at things with permanency, as final. To seek out challenges and changes that help you grow, while staying aligned with what motivates you most. Jim Kwik, author of Limitless and renowned brain coach summarises this beautifully when discussing passion. He shares ‘finding your passion is not about choosing the right path or finding the perfect professional destiny. It’s about experimenting to see what ignites your joy. Passion comes when we discover our authentic, alive self, the one who has been muted and buried beneath a pile of other people’s expectations’.
Have you ever wanted to make a change to how you live your life, whether that be through what you do for work, how you exercise, what you eat, where you live, how you spend / save, whatever it may be BUT then find yourself talking yourself out of it?
What is holding you back from going all in?
What would it mean to you, to your life, if you conquered this goal?
About the Author
My name is Gayle, Founder & Director of Thriving Minds Global. As an individual, I’ve spent my career intentionally disrupting myself, seeking out change, opportunity, the next growth play as I’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that at some point throughout my working life, change would be ‘done to me’. Meaning that at some point in my career, I would find myself in a position where I would be forced to go down a path I didn’t choose. I also have an insatiable desire to learn, driven by my passion for wanting to help others tap into their potential and to find what gets them out of bed in the morning!
Thriving Minds Global is an inspiring purpose-driven leadership coaching and consulting firm, with an unwavering commitment to accelerating learning and growth in others.
We partner with leaders, teams, and individuals in a thought-provoking, creative manner to help them achieve their personal and professional goals.
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