“Most of us are slaves of the stories we unconsciously tell ourselves about our lives. Freedom begins the moment we become conscious of the plot line we are living and, with this insight, recognize that we can step into another story.”
– Carol S. Pearson, The Hero Within
As I move closer to my transition day away from working for a big corporation, I realize that a big part of my identity has been tied to my job and the responsibilities that go along with it. It seemed normal to feel this way while working in the corporate environment. But now things are starting to change.
I feel like I’m waking up.
I feel more exposed.
Things feel more raw.
I guess it’s because I’m aware of the reality of more freedom, being in complete control of my time, being able to create whatever I want, say whatever I want, with no one to answer to but myself.
But then there’s the flip side of that equation. There will be no more bi-weekly paycheck, no matching 401k, no paid vacations, no more ‘stability’ of working for a guaranteed return. I will be the one responsible for creating value and making sure that I’m solving real problems. Otherwise, I don’t get paid.
But here’s the thing.
This is a choice. I am choosing to create extraordinary work for myself.
Work that feels exciting.
Work that fills me with energy knowing that I am making progress with something that matters.
I am no longer bogged down with my corporate inbox, tasks that drain my energy, and doing work that I don’t really care about. I am genuinely happy about what lies ahead.
My mind has somehow expanded to understand that true abundance will never come from a job. It’s funny. I couldn’t see this while I was committed to the day-to-day grind of my job. It’s hard to see the gardens when you’re locked in jail. Abundance showed up when I began pursuing my true desires and let go of the perceived safety of my job.
Now I am focusing on finding creative ways to show others that it’s totally possible to achieve the following:
- Create extraordinary & inspiring work
- Make extra income doing it
- Quit your day job (or at least be ready if your company decides to lay you off)
Now I wake up every day with the motive of enhancement. How can I enhance my family, my friends, my clients, potential customers, my blog readers, people I don’t even know yet but I would like to know?
Some people have indicated to me that it’s great that I’m able to do this but that they are in a totally different situation that doesn’t make it possible for them. They tell me “it’s just the way it is.”
What?
Hey, I realize that we all have different circumstances but many people severely discount their ability to design a life that truly represents the way they want to live.
If working 40-50 hours per week at a job, getting paid vacations, and a guaranteed paycheck are what you need, then great! I’m in your corner 100%.
But if you really desire something more, whether its making a bigger difference through your own thing, traveling the world, being in control of your income, living in a sunny location during the winter (one of my personal favorites), or being able to ski mid-week, I am here to tell you that YOU are in control!
Take responsibility for the life you want to create.
It’s time that we all (myself included) take full responsibility for the life that we create. I will always be very clear about one thing…that we are all different and the dream that floats my boat might seem completely ridiculous to the next person. But the point is that we all have our own visions of greatness and we all have the free will to pursue it.
Now you might think that my perspective requires a certain privilege available only to those that are already wealthy, successful or otherwise endowed with choices unavailable to you.
This is not the case! This was not the case for me and it was not the case for many people I know that have consciously created their lifestyle.
The only prerequisite to a new way of life is to start creating it. You start with the vision of how you want to live and then you work toward creating the actual life that you envision.
In most cases, it won’t be easy, or straightforward or feel completely safe. But it’s your life that is on the line and I encourage you to start really living it.
I wake up every day wondering if I should go take another job in the corporate world. The allure of the big salary, the benefits and the perceived stability are appealing. But I know that there is another way for me right now. I know that it’s time for me to create extraordinary work for myself.
It’s okay to take baby steps.
“I can’t just QUIT!” people say. “I have bills to pay.” I get it. I’m not saying quit today. Before someone runs a marathon they learn how to run to the end of the block and back, then run a mile, then two miles. They run several times a week and stay healthy. Then they run a marathon.
Make a list right now. Write down every dream you have. I want to start a business. I want to travel to Africa. I want to simplify my life. I want to have the freedom from many of the worries that I have succumbed to all my life. I want to be healthy. I want to make an impact with my creativity. I want to have more time for myself.
These are not goals. These are core desires for your life. What can you do today to start practicing these desires? Who can you help today? What can you do to simplify your life today? This is how you take baby steps. This is how you eventually run towards freedom.
Challenge yourself.
I want you to think about your current life in a new way.
Ask yourself this question about your job, your relationships, where you live, and how you spend the majority of your time:
Would I want to do this if I didn’t have to?
If yes, great!
If no, it’s time to begin building your own reality. You get to decide what your reality looks like and start designing it. No one is stopping you.
What would it take to wake up excited and go to sleep fulfilled most days? Decide to move one step closer to this every day.
Plan for it.
Do it.
– Michael
P.S. Tell me one thing you are 100% committed to doing differently by this time next year.
