Introduction
Are you stuck in a job or career for which you have no passion? Do you wish you knew what to do to change your situation? Are you afraid to leave what you have, even if you know it’s not what you are supposed to do with your life?
Then you need to take the first step in the right direction.
The Journey
To paraphrase an ancient Chinese proverb, your greatest journey begins with the first step.
Your greatest journey is to find your purpose and then to use it to make a difference.
But your great journey will never begin unless you take that first step.
And what happens if you don’t begin the journey, well, Thoreau said it best, “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Is that you?
Let’s say you are tired of the status quo, and desperation is no longer your thing, what are you going to do about it? What will it take for you to take that first step?
Inertia
If you are like most people you need someone or something to get you moving in a different direction. Some people call it inertia, you know…that tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged.
I remember from a physics class I took in college that the way to overcome inertia is by some external force.
My point is that most of us need an external force to help us to change–a swift kick in the rear to get you to change direction or to take that first step away from desperation and toward your purpose. I call that external force a catalyst
Why do most of us need a catalyst? Well, for most of us the desperation we live in is familiar and everyone we know is stuck there as well. It takes effort, sometimes heroic effort, to break out. Let’s face it…that can be scary. So, most people do not break out. How do I know this? Because Gallup did a study on it.
The Proof
Now a word of explanation: Gallup did the study with companies and managers in mind. My take on all this is how it affects individuals…like you.
Gallup surveyed
25 million Employees In
195 Different Countries and
70 Languages
And found that only
30% of employees were Engaged – “they work with passion and feel a profound connection to their company. They drive innovation and move the organization forward.”
The other 70 % are essentially “checked out.” They’re sleepwalking through their workday, putting time — but not energy or passion or they’re trying to sabotage what the engaged coworkers accomplish. These people are not even remotely using their GIFT.
So, if you are a manager listen up – “Gallup found that managers who focus on their employees’ strengths can practically eliminate active disengagement.
What this survey doesn’t address is the number of employees that have jobs in which they could never excel. These are people who cannot use their GIFT, even if they knew what it was, because they are in the wrong jobs.
So, what’s the point?
My focus is not on the managers or the businesses, it is on you.
The point is that Gallup proved that 70% of employed people all over the world are not passionate about what they do.
Are you one of those 70% that are not passionate about what you do?
Gallup puts the blame for all this lack of passion on bad bosses or managers.
But, if you don’t know what you are passionate about, and you don’t even have a clue that you have a GIFT, even the best manager in the world won’t be able to help you.
That describes most people.
Catalysts
Just discovering the fact that you aren’t alone might be enough of a catalyst to start you moving.
Maybe you really are sick and tired of feeling desperate.
Many people today feel isolated and alone. Part of that is because We aren’t as good at communicating with others as previous generations, especially about the deep things that really matter. SO, how would you know that 70% of the people you work with don’t like their jobs, but have no idea what to do about it?
This simple truth, or discovering that you actually do have a special GIFT may be what it takes for you to break your inertia.
So, that’s one catalyst–discovering a truth that will set you free.
For others, they have to hit rock bottom before they will change. Some tragedy wipes them out, either financially or emotionally and it causes them to wake up. Now I don’t wish tragedy on anyone, but the facts are that hitting bottom is what it takes for some folks.
For yet others, instead of tragedy, something good happens to open their eyes. Maybe they were used to living life as a bottom feeder instead of to the fullest, then along comes some awesome, good Samaritan-type person that shows them there is more to life. Not only that, but this good Samaritan helps them to start changing and realize they have a GIFT.
So, whether your catalyst is hearing the truth, some tragedy, or a good Samaritan you still need to take the first step.
What’s your first step?
I suggest you find your GIFT.
because finding your gift is the key unlocking your passion.
So, don’t keep living a life of quiet desperation…take that first step.
