This week has been awesome in so many ways – new opportunities to learn, forging relationships with new contacts, and starting the initial planning stages for an exciting giveaway (I can’t wait to share more about it!), plus today’s my dad’s birthday : ) – but there is one phrase and a few moments that have caused me to come back to it over and over again.
One of the people who inspires me most said this on Wednesday, and it’s stuck with me ever since. It was one of those light bulb moments when I found myself agreeing, making a note, and drawing a cloud around it so it will always stand out on the page. But I think you can take that phrase so much further.
Just because you (can, are good at it, can make money, are encouraged by others, have always done it…insert phrase here) doesn’t mean you should.
How many times have you said or heard something like the above? Your answer is probably quite a few times. I know I have. But saying and actually following through and doing are two totally different things. Just because it’s something you feel you should do – whether it’s taking a different step in your career, agreeing to a meeting that your heart is telling you not to attend, or even doing something in which you might excel – doesn’t mean that you should take the actions to do it if there is zero passion behind it.
Having passion for what you to do is key to wanting to work hard at it every day. Having passion for what you do is what will inspire someone else along the way. If you, because you are most important, don’t love it then you’re likely not truly happy. If you don’t love it, then you’re not having the great impact on others that you could be having if you did.
One of the reasons I keep coming back to this idea is because I heard someone say she was only in her field to make money. I wanted to panic and then tell her to start working to change industries. Like, yesterday. Money is clearly necessary. It allows you to see and feel worth attached to what you do, but is what you do worth it if you’re only doing it to make money? No, in my opinion.
Life is far too short, and you your talents (you have them!) can lend themselves to so many other things when making money does not define who you are or what you do. Stepping away from that money-making venture can allow someone else to shine who does have a true passion for it. Stepping away means you can take the risk and follow your true passion. Who knows, you may even make more at it. But most importantly, feeling passionate will likely make you happier.
So, before you continue on your current path or start down a new one, ask yourself if you love where that path is or will take you. Just because you can follow a path doesn’t mean you should.
P.S: This post definitely relates to last Friday’s message!
Stay tied to Carly is Inspired…
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