“A ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ is irrelevant if it is the wrong opportunity.”
Photo by Andre Benz on Unsplash
Take a breath, think, look around. Explore life's choices. Treat the past, present and future choices alike, without judgement. Choice is Freedom. Reflect on what gives you meaning. True to what makes you tick. If you're like me, it's just as much about figuring out what not to do, in giving solace to the mind. Every moment of your life will be spoken for, whether it's of your choosing or someone chooses for you.
Regaining control of your life only comes about by intention. Life is a series of distractions and incredible things we could do, but not to say we should do. You can't do everything. What's worth sacrificing? Not what do I want to give up on, but what do I want to go big on?
The TEDEd blog featured 7 ideas about finding the work you were meant to do. “When people have found their calling, they’ve made tough decisions and sacrifices in order to do the work they were meant to do.” In other words, you don’t just “find” your calling — you have to fight for it. And it’s worth the fight. “People who’ve found their calling have a fire about them,” says Isay, the winner of the 2015 TED Prize. “They’re the people who are dying to get up in the morning and go do their work.”
These opportunities only come about by design. My journey as a Coach began two years ago, I was hired at Pathways To Education. A Canada-wide initiative helping youth in low-income communities graduate from high school. The results of this unique program have been groundbreaking, increasing high school graduation rates by an average of 80%. My role is part counsellor, advocate, confidante, social worker, and mediator - motivating and guiding students and families, providing insight and accountability.
Coaching has given me the freedom to live a fulfilling life of my choosing. I was inspired for the first time in years. I craved to know anything and everything about Coaching. I spent months searching for an accredited program to enhance my skills. The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) came out on top. It was a 7 month intensive journey, combining 90-in-class hours with an additional 320 hours conducted over the phone and teleclasses. I was on the phone at bare minimum an hour or two a day. While working full time hours. It was mentally exhausting. An incredibly understanding girlfriend and Chugs The Pug took a back seat. When you focus on making the lives of others better, do something you're good at and feel appreciated for what you do, you've found your calling.
I've found my fire and it's worth fighting for.
What's your calling? I'd love to hear! Share it with me in the comments or shoot me an e-mail chris@simplifyyourwhy.com
