Today, I turn 50! And what an incredible first half it’s been!
To date, I’ve been a playwright, actor, stand-up comic, DJ, exotic dancer, fitness instructor, journalist, videographer, web designer, author, communications consultant, callings coach, entrepreneur, and more.
I’ve been at crossroads many times not knowing what comes next and terrified of a future I couldn’t predict. I’ve made choices I regret and choices I’ve relished.
And in 50 years, this is what I’ve learned:
1. Most people don’t get just one calling. They get many.
I was taught as a child to choose one career for life. Yet, we don’t live in a one-career world. Expect and welcome change. Be agile. Instead of asking, what should I do with my life. Ask instead, what should I do next?
2. You know the answers. Fear prevents you from seeing it.
A sneaky question I use when coaching people who don’t know what they want is “If you did know, what would you say?” Then I wait. Inevitably, they answer.
What’s stopping them isn’t not knowing, it’s fear, which is awesome because without fear there can be no courage.
3. When you take the steps, the path reveals itself.
The only way out of analysis paralysis is to act. Go with one of your hunches. Follow it and see where it leads you. Life is like a big scavenger hunt. When you find one clue, the next will be provided. Trust this. Ask for and follow the clues.
4. Those things you can’t help but do? That’s your calling.
I told myself I’d take today off, but here I am stringing ideas together because it feels so freakin’ good. I can’t help but write.
What do you do on your day off? Don’t let not making money with it right now, stop you from doing it. You were put on this planet to express who you are.
5. Those ideas that come back to you again and again? That’s also your calling.
In 1995, I saw Tony Robbins speak and thought, “That’s what I want to do!” Twenty-five years later, my soul is once again whispering “You need to be on stage.”
My dreams may be bigger than my circumstances but I’m not letting that stop me. The other day, I gave a talk to a group of trees in the park. It was awesome!
What’s your soul whispering for you to do? Do that thing… and if you can’t do it now because of COVID-19 or other circumstances, start preparing for when you can.
You were put on this planet for a purpose.
I believe that purpose is to feel joy and to use your gifts to make this world a better place.
At 50, I know that one of my gifts is to inspire.
What’s yours?
