Today MAP Inc. celebrates 10 years in business. Upon reflection, we have learned about 83,000 lessons along the way – and that’s a conservative estimate 🙂 Today I’ll share 10 of them in the hopes that they support you in successfully doing what you love!
1. It’s never too late – or too early – to do what you love.
A few years ago, a beautiful 83-year-old woman participated in my Year of No Regrets class, excited to make her next chapter her best! And every time you purchase a craft from a child’s “store” you can rest assured you’re supporting a passion – and a budding entrepreneur. Start anytime, anywhere, with whatever you have.
2. Just because it hasn’t been done doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
Innovators typically don’t follow the beaten path, which is both liberating and frightening. Don’t shy away from doing what you love simply because you don’t know how to proceed. If you can’t find someone who’s done what you want to do, start asking around – a friend of a friend of a friend will probably have the perfect resource to get you started! (And chances are, it has been done before, but not in the unique and brilliant way that you will do it.)
3. You don’t have to figure it all out.
Oh, if only I had figured this out years earlier! 🙂 Planning and strategizing matters. So does reaching out to others (see #5), acknowledging that you don’t have to know everything, and moving forward with faith.
4. Success stems from 3 keys: clarity, confidence, & meaningful action.
It all starts with a clear vision and purpose. Once you know what you’re striving for and the reasons behind it all, you can act with confidence, purpose, and have fun with it!
5. You need a team.
At the start, your team may come in the form of cheerleaders, advisors, and friends who keep saying, “You can do it!” Later, your team may grow to include assistants and employees. And always, all along the way, seek out mentors, hire coaches, and ask for/invest in the help you need.
6. Thick skin helps.
When you want to lead, live boldly, and make a difference, you naturally subject yourself to criticism. While not always easy to navigate (especially for the people-pleaser in you), here’s what I’ve discovered: It’s much easier than living with a string of I wish I would have‘s. Believe in yourself and your amazingness.
7. Be open.
Ten years ago, I never predicted that MAP Inc – which started as a subscription newsletter – would evolve into a coaching & training firm. And 10 years before that, I never would have predicted an entrepreneurial path at all! You can simultaneously move towards a vision while being open to interesting detours and saying “Yes” to opportunities. For this reason, I often end my goals with the phrase, “This or something better.”
8. Your heart tells the truth.
You know those activities that fully engage you, light you up, and make you lose track of time? They’re clues to your passions and strengths. Pay attention to what energizes you and where you feel “in the zone,” then pursue those moments. Often.
9. Know what matters most.
In his book Living A Life That Matters, Rabbi Kushner wrote, “Burnout results not from hard work – we’re capable of working very hard – but from a sense of futility, the fear that all the hard work isn’t making a difference.” When you can connect your work to your purpose and to the bigger picture, you may still work hard, but it will be with intention, meaning, and grace. Know what you’re working for, and keep visual reminders handy.
10. You can make a living, a life, and a difference ~ all at once.
And it’s a glorious experience – for you, for your family, and for the countless people you impact over a lifetime.
As you move forward in your career, business, or leadership role, keep this in mind: we want you to succeed! We want to benefit from the gifts that only you have to offer, we want to learn from you, we want to experience the positive difference you’re here to make.
And please, please remember: regardless of the size of your paycheck or the “fanciness” of your title or the amount of recognition you receive, YOUR WORK MATTERS. YOU matter! And you can make a positive difference in the world!
Here’s to doing what you love!
Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches business owners and leaders to get unstuck and reach their highest potential with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action. Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.