The quote, “If you want to take the island, then burn your boats,” attributed to Tony Robbins but originally from Julius Caesar, resonates deeply with those striving for significant life changes. After many years working in a corporate setting I finally stepped out into the unknown world of entrepreneurship to fulfill my life's purpose. I'd like to share how I arrived at this juncture, what my new goal entails, and how I've embraced this quote as my guiding mindset.
A recurrent theme in my life revolves around questioning my purpose: Why am I here? Why do I possess certain skills and abilities while lacking others? Though I've come to terms with the fact that pursuits like singing or playing an instrument aren't my forte, I have a keen interest in creation. I derive satisfaction from challenges and often find myself contemplating whether I can bring an idea to life.
Whether it's crafting a three-layered cake, producing artwork, or fashioning furniture such as tables, decks, and cabinets, I'm driven by a desire to unearth my true calling. I've longed for a definitive sign from God, a clear directive indicating, "This is your purpose—stop searching!"
For 41 years, I've attributed my perpetual curiosity and creativity to my ADHD, believing my brain to be wired differently. Mundane tasks at work failed to hold my attention, yet I could achieve hyperfocus when engaged in activities I love. I've often questioned why I couldn't be "normal" like others.
Recently, things started falling into place. I stumbled upon the notion that one's calling lies at the intersection of passions, abilities, personality traits, and experiences. Armed with this insight, I delved into my journal, revisiting motivational notes and meticulously documenting every thought.
My passions lie in aiding others with my skills, nurturing and instructing individuals to achieve success, and bringing ideas to fruition. My personality traits encompass being a big-picture thinker, empathetic, creative, and inclined toward exploring hypothetical scenarios that shape the future. My abilities range from creativity and baking to computer design and empathetically identifying others' needs. My experiences, from personal highs to lows, including parenthood, divorce, career transitions, and mental health challenges, have sculpted my journey.
Yet, despite this introspection, no epiphany has occurred—no sudden realization of a newfound career path. What I've discerned, however, is that my current occupation fails to fulfill me and underutilizes my talents. Venturing into a sales role at a chemical company, after a decade and a half in a similar industry, only emphasized this mismatch. Initially drawn by the company's customer-centric ethos, I soon observed a shift toward profit-centric practices.
You might question the logic of an awkward, introverted individual venturing into sales—a sentiment I share. My discomfort in this role, coupled with my innate drive for process improvement and customer-centricity, created a perpetual internal conflict. Despite introducing innovative ideas, from follow-through sheets to automated email reminders and leveraging technology like Chat GPT for marketing, my efforts encountered resistance. The prevailing corporate culture prioritized conformity over innovation, leaving me feeling out of place.
Over the past twelve months, however, I've undergone a spiritual awakening. Intensive Bible study, prayer, and journaling have illuminated my journey. I've realized that my periods of turmoil stemmed from my insistence on charting my own course, rather than surrendering to God's purpose for my life.
A sermon featuring 1 Corinthians 10:13 struck a chord, emphasizing the presence of His guidance amidst temptation. Through introspection, I've discerned subtle signs guiding me toward the right path—a testament to divine intervention.
So, here I stand, on the cusp of a new venture—a service-oriented enterprise prioritizing customer experience, irrespective of company size. My ambition extends beyond profitability; I aspire to provide opportunities for marginalized individuals, donating essential items like kitchen tables and fostering community bonds.
Uncertainty looms on the horizon, but faith propels me forward. After 26 years of stable employment, I'm burning the boats—there's no turning back.
In parting, I leave you with a quote by Brad Montague: "Dare to dream, but please also DO. For dreamers are many, but doers are few."
Until next time. God Bless...