I was spending time with a family member this weekend and found myself defending some of the choices I have made in my
life. I don’t know about you, but I have always found it an exhausting exercise in futility to explain one’s life choices to people who simply “don’t get it”. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in my journey to-date, it’s that doing anything because we think it will make everyone else happy, even if it’s something you don’t want to do, is a recipe for disaster.
Of course, the main topic of discussion was my self-employment. I don’t come from a family of entrepreneurs (that I know of). My parents were/are what I would call “risk averse”. The idea of quitting your job on faith and going on to start your own business isn’t something that is easily understood. I have my MBA after all! Couldn’t I make good money if I just went out there and found “a better job”?
Here’s the thing – I love what I do. Embrace Your Destiny, starting my own business, is one of my greatest accomplishments. It was my first leap outside my comfort zone, because I too, am risk averse. The idea of being solely responsible for the income I earn wasn’t always something that excited me. I’ve had jobs, done well, had the great annual performance reviews, but by the third year mark, if I event lasted that long, I was ready for a change. I was constantly bouncing from job to job trying to find the one that was going to give me that fulfillment I was looking for and never found it.
I started Embrace Your Destiny 5 years ago this November. I did it because there was an inner calling that told me this was the answer I was looking for. You may have already heard my story about my unsuccessful job hunt in 2009 that resulted in the inspiration to become a life coach and start my own business. This was the first career decision that I didn’t take lightly. I did my homework, interviewing coaches to find out what they did and then hiring my own coach to go through the process. I did the business plan and for the first time in a long time, I was really excited about where my life was headed.
What I realize, 5 years later, is that there are always going to be people who don’t understand what you’re doing, even when you having success. They don’t understand what’s driving you to do the things you’re doing because they aren’t driven by the same things. That’s what makes each of us unique. We can’t expect that people are going to love or appreciate every decision or choice we make in our lives. Whether it’s who you choose to marry, where you go to school, or what livelihood you want, there are always going to be people who question your decisions because it doesn’t fit their way of thinking.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned is that you can’t please everyone. Not only that, it isn’t our job to! We have to do what’s right for us, even when others don’t think it’s the right choice. You know your reasons for the decisions you’ve made. If it doesn’t work out, at least you tried. Living your life to please others is only going to lead to regret and resentment. If you have a calling, if there’s something that you’ve always wanted to do, what are you waiting for? Who knows better what’s in your best interest than you? Don’t let the fears and limiting beliefs of others stop you from living the life you want! ♥