As kids we all had dreams of what we wanted to be when we grew up: racing drivers and explorers; rock stars and ballerinas; fighter pilots and astronauts.
As you matured into adulthood, you most likely finished your college or university education and got your first job. It was an exciting time; maybe you moved into your own place, or bought a car. Back then the money was pretty good for a twenty-something. The job provided some spending money, responsibility and a chance to engage in the "real world."
All too quickly those childhood dreams and aspirations ebbed away as the responsibilities of your first mortgage, meeting your partner, marriage, children, a bigger house and simply staying afloat rapidly took centre stage. And before you knew it, there you were, slap bang in the middle of the rat race.
If this sounds familiar to you, then you're not alone. It's a huge dilemma that many people face and there's a very good reason that it happens to so many. In our society, particularly in school, we are encouraged to pursue a career in which we are skilled. We then get our training and education on the subject and go about receiving positive feedback for our accomplishments in that area. Unsurprisingly, we can very often mistake that positive feedback about our aptitude as reinforcement that we're working in the right field.
As a result, too many people spend their adult lives on a path that was set when they took their career aptitude test as a teenager. But in reality, who has the same interests at 30, 40 or 50 that they had at 16? Is it any wonder then that so many of us find ourselves in careers that are more focussed on making a living than on truly living the life that we want?
As you become increasingly disenchanted with a livelihood that's so far removed from your interests something funny often happens...
You have a sudden realisation; "just because I'm good at something, doesn't mean I have to do it until I die!" You start to look at the world in a different way, start to want more out of your life and begin to wonder, "What does my future hold?" That's when you might start to notice all sorts of meaningful things that you could be doing, that better align with your passion and interests.
That's what happened to me; I used to be an international labour lawyer. I was paid top dollar to live 5 blocks from the beach and yet, in spite of it all, found myself utterly disenchanted, disengaged and disillusioned. Mi-ser-able.
Perhaps, like me, you have always known that deep down you wanted your career to be something that gave your life meaning and fulfillment; something that excited you; something that provided a feeling of accomplishment, pride and a sense that you are making a positive impact and a difference in the world.
I set about discovering what I was good at, what I enjoyed, setting goals and putting together action plans. 6 months passed; then 12; but very little change actually materialised. I couldn't understand it; I was a deeply motivated and driven person, so why did it feel like no matter what I did, some kind of invisible counterforce was getting in my way?
Three years and a whole world of experience later, I now support those people who are brave enough to start or grow a business doing what they're passionate about, but who get stuck on the "business stuff". As we'll be exploring over the course of this blog series, there are two main things that prevent people from serving their true purpose and making a comfortable living doing it: (1) our internal blocks that are acting like invisible brick walls; masking us from the life and career aspirations that live on the other side; and (2) a significant gap in affordable training and education about how to build a business and step into being a heart- & soul-centred entrepreneur.
Until now that is.....
In one way or another, we ALL experience internal and external blocks in our lives. It's only by shining the light of awareness on these that we can begin to notice them, break through them and take action to realise our dreams on the other side.
In the first part of this series over the coming weeks I'll be focussing on the Big Four internal blocks:
•Limiting Beliefs;
•Assumptions;
•Interpretations; and
•The Inner Critic
We'll talk about what they are, how you can identify them and how they might be impacting your efforts to carve out a more fulfilling business or life path. Then we will move on to the essential entrepreneurs' education, training and resources that will help you take your first steps confidently on that path.
This blog is going to make a difference and in turn, will therefore help you to make yours. If you've been waiting for that perfect moment, and the right time to make a career or life change, that time is now. Check out www.startoutsteps.com for more information and a free downloadable checklist for how you can take your first steps.