A NEW WAY OF THINKING
For most people, especially in today’s economy, everyone must work. Homes, cars, and groceries for a family are simply not affordable for the average American unless each partner is contributing income.
This can make pursuing a career that is focused on fulfillment and purpose especially difficult—at least that is what most people believe. However, if recent events are any indication, corporate life is not so cozy and secure either. In fact, with mass layoffs happening at a greater volume than ever before, life as an entrepreneur just might be the better bet. That leap seems massive for most people, and for some it can seem impossible.
Making the Life You Imagine a Reality
Emily Tamayo Maher, founder of The Meaning Method, is a savvy entrepreneur and book coach, who made just such a leap nearly 8 years ago and has never looked back. Her clients call her a “coach for the imagination” because she helps individuals surface their creativity and then build a strategy to execute on that creativity.
Watch Emily’s YouTube Channel for writing tips and success strategies for book development and publishing.
Her leap from schoolteacher to entrepreneur was hard-won. Ultimately, she stopped caving to the pressures from the external world and began to look inward, where she discovered the courage. And that inward assessment also allowed alignment to show up in her day to day—Emily knew she was on the right path.
During our conversation on The Happy Life Agenda podcast, Emily talked about how prioritizing people is essential to making the transition from traditional system-based job roles (like schools or corporate) to entrepreneur. She dedicated time each week to meeting at least three new people. She says, “You will meet dozens of people and a percentage of them will completely change your life.” On this journey, she met her first client who became an award-winning author that has sold hundreds of thousands of books to date.
Emily talks about the challenges of uncovering what works for each individual. She says that whether you’re writing a book or starting a business, you must test out a few things to make certain that what you are pursuing is a fit for you and the people you hope to serve.
Prioritizing People is the Secret to Success
When you pour into people, people pour into you. Competition and envy are still heavy influences of action in today’s world. These traits hold people back from sharing ideas and truly giving or caring for others. People are often afraid someone else might outshine them or get the job or the promotion first. When you consider that you’re here for a very distinct purpose, sharing freely becomes less daunting. You suddenly know that if you don’t get the job, the promotion, the award, etc., it isn’t a shortcoming, it just isn’t part of the current mission that you’re on as part of your purpose.
The more you connect with people as your authentic self and with your purpose at the forefront, you will know who to trust and you will also experience a reciprocal relationship. Humans are very good at parsing out inauthenticity—it’s that gut feeling that you sometimes ignore.
Purpose, servant leadership and connection are a significant part of a fulfilled life and success—both personally and professionally.
Emily and I both talk in the episode about raising children and how these wonderful little humans have been pivotal is unveiling the answers to tough decisions for each of us. For a long time, there was a mantra, “children are meant to be seen and not heard.” If not for the insights my daughter has shared in her short life, I might be in an entirely different place right now, and I am not sure it would be the right place. Emily’s stories about her son in the podcast episode illustrate this as well.
The same is true when judgements are made against any individual or group—it can be easy to stop hearing people simply because of stereotypes. I experienced this a lot as an executive female in a corporation. There have been studies to show that many times who says the idea can make all the difference in getting it heard and executed—that should never be the case.
However, when your motto is to show authentically and allow others the same courtesy, you will be amazed at what you discover. It might be impossible to make everyone show up this way, but if you make it a priority, doors will open.
Seeking Support to Go Further Faster
In Emily’s book, The Rapid Blueprint Novel, she talks about how great authors from James Joyce to Michelle Obama received support for their writing. If not for that support, they may not have been as successful or successful at the right time.
Whether it is writing a book, changing jobs, aiming for a promotion, navigating wellness as you age, or finding balance when you’re caring for kids and aging parents—support can make all the difference. In fact, asking for help can often accelerate your success.
Reaching out for support is a part of leadership and no one can lead your life but you.
Support looks different in different situations. Call a friend, a neighbor or family member. It can be a friend who just listens without advising or a family member who has a particular skill set and lends a hand. It can be a coach or consultant that can help you set goals and achieve milestones while providing expert guidance. Sometimes you need multi-faceted support, while other times, you just need that neighbor to pick your kid up from school since you’re stuck in traffic.
Support and networks aren’t just for the career-minded. People need people. Human connection is the secret to a life of happiness and vitality. You don’t have to connect to everyone, but you will find when you show up as the you God designed you to be, people want to know you and you want to know them—and you get to know a lot of people and it’s a really good thing.
Get Support from The Happy Life Agenda
Support comes in all shapes and sizes at The Happy Life Agenda. To get the support you need now, subscribe to the eNewsletter (I promise not to email too much) and subscribe to The Happy Life Agenda YouTube channel, featuring podcasts and short videos to inspire and provide insights for empowerment and life-changing “aha moments.” If you want to get tailored 1:1 support for your goals and living into your purpose, sign up for The Clarity Program. It all begins with a no cost, no obligation Discovery Call.
Don’t wait even one more minute to take action toward your purpose-driven life. When you live for purpose mastery, everything is magnificent.
