I scream, you scream, why give up your pipe dream!
I called my brother last night, and when he answered he sounded like a giddy kid who was just handed a triple-scoop bubblegum ice cream cone. “Gord, you sound really happy bro, what’s new?” I asked. “I’m so happy Rachelle! My business is booming, I’m doing exciting work and having a blast!”
It’s so beautiful to watch people thriving in their element… Since having the guts to quit his talent-limiting career situation a year ago, Gord has since combined his knack for technology with his passion for people, and baked these ingredients into a rewarding entrepreneurial venture.
Quitting your vanilla job
Can you think of someone you know who doesn’t seem to live up to their potential? Perhaps they’re an extremely talented creative, natural athlete, technology wiz, captivating leader; but who works a mediocre job with lukewarm enthusiasm? Are you that person?
If you’re fairly good at something that you’re not very interested in or something that doesn’t take full advantage of your skill-set, imagine if you did something you truly love? I believe exceptional work comes through utilizing your unique skills, talents and natural affinity.
You may consider you’re just another person who longs to run wild with their career pipe dreams, who believes taking a chance on yourself is not rationale, or safe. The truth is everyone has something unique that makes them great, and valuable, and your accumulative life experience, education, background, personality and skills are far from average.
The inside scoop
The most fulfilling times in our lives usually occur when our mind or body is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Therefore the secret to happiness is progress. It’s the moments where you’re growing; financially, spiritually, emotionally and physically, that you experience the most happiness.
In his best-selling book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, author Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi talks about “A state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience is so enjoyable that people will continue to do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.” He defines this as flow.
For my brother Gord, he has unintentionally discovered the joy of being in flow. His intensely happy state is stemming from the blend of personal enjoyment, on-going challenge and his growth.
You cone do it!
We only live once and we’re allowed to pursue what sets our souls on fire. Take a moment to ask yourself honestly, if money weren’t an issue, what would you do? What do you feel in your gut—it’s not about seeing shiny dollar signs or doing what you think you should do. It’s about moving towards joy. If you can’t think of what you might do, inspect at all the things you’re good at and all the things you’ve ever loved to do.
“Nobody has to give you permission to do the work that you want to do.” — Brian Koppelman
If entrepreneurship has taught Gord and me anything, it’s that taking action towards our potential and the things that bring us joy is what leads to more meaning and potent life satisfaction. Uncharted territory is a wild ride with equal parts excitement and terror, but it’s so worth it!
Happiness is not a unicone
It’s possible to unearth true happiness, but first you must let go of fear and the identities that no longer serve you. Whether we’re talking career, relationships, or any other big life changes, when you do what you fear the most and make space to expand into new territory, you invite creativity, zest, success and happiness in your life.
If I can share one hefty serving of advice it’s that: Your greatness often starts with biting off more than you can chew, so never ever settle for one scoop!
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Check out Gord’s Managed IT business, networkzoo.ca
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