In a way, we are all wanderers.
We wander through life, looking for perfection: the perfect house, the perfect partner, the perfect job… but we often forget that life is abundant and we’re not supposed to have just “one thing”.
Yet, we are still stuck with this old stereotype that there is one true calling and that whatever we choose to do will last a lifetime. But that’s not the case anymore. More and more people flit from opportunity to opportunity, and more importantly, we now create our own opportunities.
(Which is probably why transferable skills are so popular.)
Let’s see what the community said and how this affects the rest of us.
The Wonders Inside
I’ve spent most of my life trying to find a purpose only to discover that I had already been fulfilling it… through my writing. We can often be so oblivious to the wonders right in front of us. — MacKenzie Clench
It does feel a little bit silly after a while of exploring and you’re back at square one, where you had started. It’s easy to ignore what you do every day, but if you learn to appreciate it, it can do wonders for your career.
It’s an old understanding that art doesn’t pay. Times have changed and with them, the economy. Plenty of artists make money as graphic designers and plenty of writers make more money than anyone. Like Elon Musk says, you need to be able to think for yourself and come up with creative solutions instead of deferring to the way “things are done”.
So let’s drop the stereotypes and open our eyes to the wonders.
Believe in Yourself
I’ve always known. The thing that took the time was giving myself the permission to believe it was possible. — Libby Page
Apart from not seeing what’s right in front of you, another “mistake” you can make is not believe you can pull something off. Whether your parents told you that what you chose is not a job a long time ago or you convinced yourself you’re not creative or brave or whatever enough, this is a poison that seeps through your life and affects everything you work for.
I just recently pivoted because of the fact I had been ignoring what my gut has been telling me for a long time. It feels like having the key to your dream life but not being able to dig it out of your pockets or forgetting where you put it. It’s just plain silly and you keep silent about it.
Then one day you want to find the stupid thing! And you do. It takes a while, but so do most great things in life.
Just believe. You can do anything you want. Anything.
Many, Many Passions
Why choose just one thing? Every day you have the option of doing what you really want to do, but that doesn’t mean the answer is the same every day. Pursue something for a while, then pick something new, just keep learning and growing. — Jennifer Davies
I relate to Jennifer so much right now! I’ve spent my life looking for a career path that would fit my style, but nothing was ever enough because it didn’t involve more than one of my passions at a time. And as you well know, once you have maxed out on a passion, you have to start from square one.
And this can go on forever, and it involves a lot of kicking yourself for not being able to choose something and stick with it.
But no more! There is something called “multipotentialite” and it fits me like a glove. Maybe it fits you too? Find out by watching this video with Emilie Wapnick, who coined the term.
The Battle Is Never Over
Well, I’d say it has taken me 40 years to realize what I really wanted to do …. but then again, it could change again! — Malcolm Brown
Today’s work climate requires a sort of fearlessness.
Whether you’re battling yourself or other people or society, it never ends. You might as well change your calling tomorrow if the right opportunity presents itself. You never know.
We talk about the future of work and how fast things are changing, but don’t forget that you’re changing just as fast in order to adapt.
So you shouldn’t be afraid of change or picking up a new skill or looking for a new job, or even pivoting in your business. It’s the most beautiful feeling in the world to believe in yourself and explore without fear of falling.
Those who work without fear are the ones who own their future.
If you want to own your future, join us in our humble attempt to make work more visible and visual. Somewhere is the place to be brave and honest and creative about what you do best and what you love doing.
Read more about us on The Next Web and thanks for reading!