If there’s one piece of advice that stands out in my journey as a strategist, entrepreneur, and mentor, it’s this: no one is coming to save you. No one will give you permission or validate you into becoming the person you want to be. Achieving an “unleashed life” – where you pursue your true potential – is entirely up to you. This realization has been pivotal, not only for me but for countless others I’ve worked with. Let’s dive into how we can apply this lesson.
The Power of Self-Reliance: Lessons from Childhood
Anyone with children is probably familiar with the phrase, “I’m bored.” I often think of a story from Sean Covey’s The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, where a young character learns that no one is coming to cure his boredom. His parents and friends are all too busy, and he eventually discovers that he alone is responsible for finding purpose and fulfillment. This lesson isn’t just for kids – it resonates deeply with adults too.
The idea is simple: waiting for others to provide answers or relieve our discomfort won’t take us very far. When we stop waiting and start looking for ways to help those around us, boredom and stagnation vanish. Fulfillment lies in action and connection, a lesson that goes beyond childhood.
Taking Ownership of Your Purpose
In my earlier days as a pastor, I observed how often people would look to leadership for direction on how to live out their calling. Many were waiting for someone else to define their purpose and provide opportunities to act on it. While mentoring and guidance are valuable, the ultimate responsibility for our purpose lies within us.
It’s up to us to define our path and take the necessary steps to bring our potential to life. Nobody else has the ability or obligation to do this for us. When you realize this, it becomes empowering. You don’t need permission to make an impact – you’re free to pursue your goals, leverage your unique skills, and add value in ways only you can.
From a young age, many of us are conditioned to wait for approval before taking action. School systems often require us to follow instructions, discouraging independent exploration. While structure has its place, this conditioning can make it difficult to step into our own power.
We can seek mentors and learn from others’ experiences, but we cannot offload the responsibility of knowing who we are or what we have to offer. It’s essential to take time to understand ourselves and recognize the value we bring to the world. This clarity enables us to forge our path without waiting for someone else’s permission.
The Weekly Success Challenge: Embrace Your Unique Ability to Help
This week, I challenge you to look around and identify a need that you’re uniquely equipped to meet. It might be something small or it could be a larger-scale need in your community. For instance, as I record this, there’s a hurricane affecting many lives in the Southeast, creating numerous opportunities to lend a hand.
Often, we convince ourselves we’re too busy to help or get involved. But what if you paused and recognized a situation where your skills or presence could make a difference? Find someone who needs what only you can offer – and say yes. You might be surprised by the sense of purpose and satisfaction that comes from helping others.
If you have questions or topics you’d like to see covered in future posts, leave them in the comments. My team and I are here to create content that addresses your needs and interests.
For more resources on business and leadership success, check out Speaking School, where you can grab my Elite Business Success Toolkit for free when you try our Speaking School membership. Visit speakingschool.com.
Until next time, remember: the path to an “unleashed life” starts with you. Stop waiting, start doing – and see just how far you can go.