Are you familiar with Marie Forleo? If not, check her out – she rocks some serious sass and energy and doles out some pretty awesome advice and insights on life, entrepreneurship, inspiration and much more.
I recently watched an episode from her MarieTV series entitled “What should I do with my life. Wait, don’t answer that.” Click here to check it out.
“What should I do with my life????” Well, if that isn’t the question that haunts my waking (and sleeping) hours!
I’m pretty familiar with this question as it has been an intermittent companion along my life’s journey. This past year, following the closing of my second business, Ambajam, this question has become my constant shadow. Letting go of the business was undoubtedly the right call for me, but letting go of that identity was tough…tough…tough. Who was I now that I was no longer an entrepreneur and a business owner? What value did I bring? Where did I fit? Knowing it was solely up to me, how did I want to write this next chapter of my life? Where did I start?
Marie suggests that rather than focusing on what we should “DO” with our lives, focus instead on who we want to “BE” in this world. The DO versus BE debate is nothing new but it struck me when I watched the episode that I have spent so much time this year trying to figure out what I want to “DO”. And, believe me that “DO” has proven to be quite elusive.
Bottom line is that I have been focusing on the form, structure, outward manifestation of the “DO”, trying to imagine an entity or a job title rather than asking myself who I want to “BE” in this world and letting that inform what I decide to “DO”.
Just shifting that one word, as Marie says, can totally change the dynamics and the energy behind the questioning. Shifting from “DO” to “BE” loosens things up, opens us up to authenticity, creativity, compassion, play and more.
So, who do I want to BE in this world?
I want to be someone who:
- Is compassionate, loving and kind
- Lives life with authenticity and integrity
- Embraces her vulnerability as a strength
- Makes a difference in this world and in the lives of those around her
- Brings people together
- Takes the time to really listen to and “see” others
- Helps people open up to their true potential
- Is curious about life
- Embraces her creative, intuitive self and let’s her light shine
- Experiences life from a place of engagement and inspiration
- Radiates joy and lives a joy-filled life
Knowing who I want to “BE” is the foundation for moving forward. The opportunity now is to take what is in my heart and find ways to express that in the world.
Shift The Question Shift The Mindset:
- If I am trying to find answers and what I’m doing isn’t working…try a different path! As Einstein said “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”
- Changing, even slightly, the perspective from which I am looking at something can make a world of difference.
- Who I want to “BE” in this world is the energy I will bring to what I “DO”.
- If I know who I want to “BE” then I can work into what I want to “DO”.
- My way of being is the foundation on which everything else is built.