“While we might envy those who love what they do for a living, we shouldn’t assume that they started from a different place than the rest of us. Chances are, they took quite some time figuring out exactly what they wanted to do with their lives.”
Angela Duckworth
Coaching Tip of the Week:
Many of my coaching clients, who are typically in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, come to me saying, “I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.”
Friends, this feeling is more common than you may realize! Even for people who thought they had it all figured out long ago.
Duckworth’s comments really resonated with me as I read her fabulous book, Grit, on a plane last week. As a child, I had no plans to become a coach. In fact, even when I started my business 15 years ago, I barely knew coaching existed. Although coaching is now the bulk of my workday – and I can’t imagine it being much different – this has evolved over time through paying attention to my passions, clarifying my purpose and how I can best serve others, and seeking the help of coaches and other professionals.
And it most definitely has not happened overnight.
This week, pay attention to what lights you up.
Whether you still wonder what you want to be when you grow up or are already doing what you love, pay attention.
What actions throughout your workday use your favorite strengths and skills?
Which activities make you feel most “in the zone”?
What would you like to do more of, and what would you like to do less of?
In my experience, you may not need a complete overhaul in order to do what you love – just some tweaking, clarifying, and engaging. By paying close attention to what lights you up, you will connect more closely with your passions and purpose, helping you define, and do, what you love.
And once that becomes clear, you become unstoppable! Here’s to doing what you love – regardless of when you start!
Share your thoughts below or on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter! And if you’d like coaching to gain clarity on your goals and action plans, let’s talk.