For years I struggled with the dilemma of wanting to allow my creative side to emerge more strongly. Not that I didn't think I had some interesting creative talents waiting to sprout open... The main struggle came because I constantly wrestled with the prominent belief that I would never make any money doing creative work.
The puritanical work-ethic side that influenced me when I was younger was very, very strong and practical. You know the one...the sensible, predictable side that seeks order, structure and constants. The one that doesn't like to take many risks due to possible failure?
When I was 19 I started working at Walt Disney World in a variety of jobs. Merchandise. Hotel Concierge. Front Desk Hostess. Educational Programs Facilitator. And, as many of you know Disney is an amazingly huge company that takes the cake when it comes to providing top level entertainment. Plus, they have a very successful business model.
In fact, one of the programs I facilitated was designed specifically for Seniors in high school that were in business and marketing classes already. It was all about the business, vision and entrepreneurial side of this big, mega company started by Walt.
I absolutely loved it! The only thing is that because this was such a large scale model I never saw myself as having an entrepreneurial spirit. I mean... I am just one person, right? What do I possibly have to offer? The sheer size of a global colossus like the Disney company is enough to make anyone's head spin (at least mine, anyway.)
I am also a lover of education and alternative modalities in living. I love adventure. I am a seeker. I love diverse cultures. I love learning about new ways to see and experience the world.
I also grew up, like so many have, with the either/or model of living.
You can be successful OR creative.
You can have lots of money by working the day away, making sacrifices OR have time to spend with family (but you'll probably be broke.)
You can be savvy with money and call your own shots OR have good looks and marry well/be taken care of (i.e. caged bird.)
You can have a full-time, secure job OR be a starving artist living hand to mouth.
The main thing to remember is .... You can't have it all!
Last year my awareness really began to shift. Mainly because I could feel inside of me the longing for a life that was much deeper and more full than the one I currently had. I was tired of my old belief systems. Yet-- I didn't know at the time how much power I had to change them.
The big a-ha moment!
Winter. I was listening to my favorite on-line radio station, Hay House Radio, and was tuned in to JB Glossinger's show. JB has a weekly podcast called The Morning Coach in addition to the Hay House show that is all about business and coaching (i.e. life coaching.)
A show that really sticks out is one where a caller phoned in to ask JB advice on how to make more money. She had been teaching public school classes for 10 years in the Midwest. Before that she had a 14 year career in Corporate.
She was really wrestling with these two sides of her. The former high-octane Corporate climber who was in Sales, but eventually burnt out and took up her life-long passion of teaching high school English.
The current situation of teaching full-time was still fulfilling on the inside, but she was wanting to make more money. What could she possibly do?
JB mentioned that he coaches public school teachers all the time. So, this struggle is nothing new to him. What has helped tremendously with other clients is to blend the two strengths. Let the business side of you and the teacher side of you come up with a viable side-hustle (side job.)
Now, this isn't limited just to teachers. You can fill-in-the-blank for the other piece. The important part is to see yourself in the both/and model.
I can be business savvy AND help people.
I can educate/create/design, etc... AND use my corporate background to help sustain these talents.
I can be a fabulously prosperous artist AND love my work.
I can be BOTH an entrepreneur AND incredibly artistic.
Instead of seeing them as two separate entities, begin to see the strengths you've gained from having a foot in both worlds. Why not learn how to create a virtual course you could sell that would help teacher's in the classroom?
Or create a workbook/book, give talks in your area or design an evening class to help other people in the same situation you are in?
What are you already incredibly gifted at, but think there isn't any money in it? Or an audience to listen to your message? Because--guaranteed there are already several people out there making fabulous money in this particular field and drawing in big numbers of people.
Maybe you can look at several existing models and make an even better one by adding your own unique pizazz to the mix?
Whatever IT is, do not sell yourself short or undervalue your talents. You simply need to shift perspectives and see it from a completely different angle.
Look at Warren Buffett. The man has made a jaw-dropping, incredible living out of buying companies that are either bankrupt or almost bankrupt. He sees the potential in them that others don't see. He sees the diamond in the rough. Turns them around and they become cash cows.
When I began to see the diamonds in my own past and in my current situation the world shifted for me. My eyes opened up to all sorts of possibilities.
What are the diamonds in your past? How can you make diamonds now with all your unique talents?
Be in awe, my friends. Be in awe!
In gratitude,
Joanna