Don’t Find Yourself. Create Yourself…BUT HOW? By Finding Something To Pursue.

“Find something that you are really interested in doing in your life. Pursue it, set your goals, and commit to yourself to excellence. Do the best you can.” – Chris Evert

If you don’t have a plan for what you want, then you will probably find yourself buying into someone else’s plan and later find out that was not the direction you wanted to go. You have to be the architect of your life. Lose yourself in the things you love, for that is where you will find yourself too.

Today, right now, is the best time ever to choose to do something that truly matters. Something you alone can share with the rest of us. Something you are capable of doing but continue to put off because you think you are not ready. You have everything you need to, at least try. Stop questioning yourself. Stop listening to everyone else. Don’t hesitate to contribute. The world needs more creators, not consumers.

It has never been easier to decide to be responsible for your own work, for the change you expect. Everybody is supposed to fit in, to be like the others, to belong and to share the same values. But sometimes when things are predictable and safe, things get boring and innovation suffers. We have come this far because of a few people who were bold enough to try something new and different.

Don’t fail to exercise your right to try something. Get into the habit of questioning the rules, of becoming curious about where you could try something different and where you could throw the windows open. You will be surprised at what you are capable of.

And give yourself permission to suck in the beginning. Don’t beat yourself and stress over your imperfections. Nobody is perfect. But guess what, the real world rewards those who get stuff done. Those who choose to show up. Those who launch. Those who have the courage to start. And those who choose to create. Not those who wait until things are perfect. Start with something you can do today or this week, even if you can commit a few minutes to it. And tomorrow, do it again. Maybe for a few more minutes. And so on.

“Pursue something so important that even if you fail, the world is better off with you having tried.” — Tim O’Reilly

Start a journey that matters

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” — Mark Twain

Your pursuit should be meaningful to you. Why you pursue something is equally as important as what you pursue. Start something greater than yourself. Something you truly believe in. Purpose eases the pain of the long hours and gives you the fortitude to fail. It makes menial tasks meaningful and even fulfilling.

Many historic innovators of our time started something with the undying belief that they can create something of great and lasting significance, what others are not willing or able to. It acknowledges room for possibility. It challenges you — and it invites others to help you pursue something of greater significance to you and the rest of the world.

You can’t change the world if you want to fit in. The system will reward you for your efforts. It always does. But when you are in a comfort zone, you have no desire to be who you are. Choose to be your authentic self, let go of who you think you should be to be who you are. The magic always happens outside your personal security walls.

But what if it get’s ugly and I fail?

“Take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.” — Mary Tyler Moore

It will get ugly. You will fail. You will stumble. Nobody can promise you a safe path. There are no safe routes if you want to be different and do something you care about.

But if you’ve chosen well, after you fail you will be one step closer to succeeding, you will be wiser and stronger and you almost certainly will be more respected by all of those that are afraid to try.

There’s no such thing as failure, only feedback. Take a chance if you can. You will learn what doesn’t work in the process if you fail. You are not your failure.

Pursuit is a process. If you have something amazing to offer the rest of us, make time to pursue it today. It doesn’t have to be a big leap but the first step matters. Pursue something that bring out the best in you. That way you will enjoy the journey and the process.

If you’re trying to do something new and impossible, expect it to be a long wait before anyone notices. “Good ideas have lonely childhoods”

“Never give up. Trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration you can not go wrong.”