“I never would’ve thought you could have the kind of business you have with your college degree.”
A family member said those words to me a few years after I’d started my business.
My response? “Me neither!”
There was no well-worn path for me to follow. There were no instruction manuals.
But there were also no rules stating that I couldn’t do this, either.
I read this once, and it clicked:
“Orville Wright did not have a pilot’s license.”
Think about it.
So many inventions that we enjoy today came about because someone was willing to try, to experiment, to take the initiative. (Now, don’t get me wrong, smarty pants… I still want my pilot to be licensed and my surgeon to be certified. But I’m making a point here.)
Too often in life, we’re waiting for a permission slip from someone to give the go-ahead. I know I have done this a time – or ten – in my own life. I always thought I needed to get certified or have an advanced degree.
And then I’m reminded that both Bill Gates and Steve Jobs dropped out of college along with some other pretty, pretty impressive figures from history.
In my experience mentioned earlier, I think maybe ignorance was bliss. Or maybe I was just so desperate to not have a J-O-B that I was willing to risk starting my own business.
What have you been inspired to try, but have been unconsciously waiting for permission to do so?
As a woman of a certain age, I’m at a season and stage of my life where I am tired of hiding and cowering and being timid, dang it. I don’t want to have regrets – we don’t get a do-over.
As I’m writing my next book, Flourish or Flounder…. I’ve been talking to a lot of women who are mid-career- and beyond – who are also tired of waiting for someone to give them a permission slip. But at the same time, they’re not sure where to begin.
Many would like to lead a richer, more fun and joy-filled life.
Are you the same?
If so, I want to encourage you to dream…
Here are self-reflective questions to ponder:
- If money and time were not an issue, what would you LOVE to do?
- What did you love/enjoy when you were younger and/or had less responsibilities?
- What hobby would you like to try your hand at?
- What really lights you up when you think about it?
Now, what’s ONE small step you could do THIS week to move toward that dream?
No, you don’t have to quit your job or sell your home. You could look for ways to enrich your life by adding in things that give you joy.
Maybe you want to travel, or do watercolor painting, or create social gatherings where friends can get together to reconnect. Whatever it is, …
- Could you do some research and look for a class you might take?
- Could you reach out to someone who might be interested in joining you on your new adventure?
- Or mayhaps you can find an online community of like-minded people?
Listen, I know your schedule is full, but I also know that if you’re like me, you don’t want to have regrets.
One thing that I had an envie (that’s a Cajun term meaning craving), is I wanted to embroider and applique clothes for my grandchildren. I didn’t have the first clue, so I did a little research, purchased the machine that was right for me. Then, I found a YouTube video of someone unboxing and setting up that exact machine and have since signed up for an online course that gives step-by-step video instructions. It’s not a huge deal, but I can’t tell you how much joy it gives me to create personalized clothes for my 6-month-old grandson. I’ll be doing dresses for the 3 little granddaughters next.
Listen, if you’re a woman in mid-career or beyond, and you’d like to connect with other like-minded women, stay tuned because I’m going to be launching a new program just for you! And if you join from the beginning, you’ll be one of my founding members and will get to have a say in the content and how the program is structured.
So whether videos resonate with you, blogs, vlogs, or newsletters in your inbox, hit subscribe, sign up, and such so you can receive new content as it gets posted so you can live and lead by choice not by chance.
You might also like:
The Best-Kept Secret of High-Performing Teams
Lead Yourself and Your Team Out of the Land of Stuck
Jennifer Ledet, CSP, is a leadership consultant and professional speaker (with a hint of Cajun flavor) who equips leaders from the boardroom to the mailroom to improve employee engagement, teamwork, and communication. In her customized programs, leadership retreats, keynote presentations, and breakout sessions, she guides leaders to live and lead by choice, not chance.
