Who do you want to be?
You have more agency over this answer than you think.
I'm guessing there's something within you that knows the person you want to be and has been working hard to make it real.
I've walked the path of becoming, and here's what I learned:
I am a writer.
There was a time when saying that felt like saying I was the Easter bunny. I worked as a credit analyst in a multinational corporation. I eventually felt a desire to find my passion and do work that I found purposeful.
I didn't know what that would be, but in 2015 I took the leap to find out. Shortly after that, I had a powerful vision come through. I saw the book I needed to write and could see myself traveling the world giving talks, helping others ignite the passion God had graced me to uncover.
After publishing my book Find Your Truth and hundreds of blog posts, talks, and meditations, I can, without apprehension, say I am a writer.
I'm not the best writer. I don't have technical skills or know how to write an epic novel like Steinbeck, but I have learned to trust the feeling of the words I write.
That, along with the simple act of sharing my experience, has been enough. And more and more, I'm learning to trust that the enoughness of that is the gift.
Dolly Parton said:
Find who you are and do it on purpose.
Trying to use big words to be seen as smart or to write heavily researched articles would derail me from who I am—just a guy sharing his process of what it's like to follow your passion, make a living, and do good work in the world.
I am a speaker.
I always loved using my voice. I was in choir throughout high school, and while an ok singer, it's not how my essence comes through.
Yet when I slow down in a meditation, that has been the format where the feeling of Spirit can speak through me.
When I share a spoken word poem or inspirational message, something awakens both in me and, in turn, in others.
When I feel the nerves before stepping on stage, I'm struck with the sense that "I was made for this."
I've learned to know and trust the power of my voice, and all the ways I can use it as a force for good.
I am a coach.
I can see potential in people, often bigger than they can see for themselves. I can help them take the actions their heart wants, but their body feels too scared to.
I get to call on the 11 years of my experience making my dreams a reality, and be an example and guide for others to do the same.
There was a time I didn't know I was any of these things.
I didn't know what my passions and gifts were, but as I began going inward to understand myself, these gifts emerged.
Fake it till you make it is real.
I spoke them into the world before I had any tangible result. I didn't wait for anyone to choose me. I decided who I wanted to be and became it.
It didn't happen overnight.
It took an endless amount of self-belief, perseverance, constant battling my own self-doubt, and maybe most of all—it took other people.
From my editor Bonnie, to my speaking mentor Rob, and to my coaches, Zach, Alena, Allan, and Dan.
It took my Friday night mastermind group.
11 years later, it still takes those things.
If you've been trying to do it alone, you're not meant to.
I've walked this path, and I want to help you bring the same gifts and passions to your world, and do it in the way that's unique to you.