How Crisis Brings Clarity

Finding self-help and self-realization from underneath a spewing sink.

“Everyone has a purpose, a reason for their existence. Even if it’s to influence, inspire or help one other person.”

This is what i’m currently telling myself. I’m talking to you now from under my bathroom sink. The battle has begun between me and a broken water valve. Everything is soaked and the water is not only pooling up, but traveling down the hallway and seeping through my floorboard, into the basement. Did I mention it’s 3:45am? No? Ok.

Its 3:45 in the morning.

This story isn’t so much about me, or the sink, or even the water for that matter. It’s about the moment — the Aha! Moment if you will — of what happened during my freak out, what it represents and what I’ve come to realize.

So often we find ourselves in situations where we’re quick to second guess our skills and doubt our talents. We think nobody wants to hear what we have to say. Or that nobody wants to buy what we can do. Or even the dreaded, “There are SO many people who can do it better.” Trust me, I’m right there with you. I felt every one of these multiple times in my life.

But what I’m learning and what you need to know right now is that this mentality is trash. It’s simply untrue. I’m telling you right now from under this sink, it’s not true. That mentality will stop you from becoming the person you want to be.

Everyone has a purpose and a reason for their existence. Even if it’s to influence, inspire or help one other person.

Someone out there needs what you provide.

As my home is on the verge of becoming an aquarium, the only thing I can think of is: “Man, I wish someone could help me stop this water.” That’s it! I’m not thinking “I need the NY Times Plumber of the Year” or “I need a thought leader on indoor plumbing.” What I need right now is someone who can stop this water so I can go to bed. And that’s what someone needs from you.

Right now as you sit there in that job you hate or on that commute you hate on your way to that job you hate, someone needs you to help them “turn the water off.” And you can do it. Are you the best at it? Not yet. Will you make mistakes along the way? Sure. But what you do can help someone get out of their dire situation.

Understand that the effort you put forth just to show up goes a long way. This is not another generic believe-in-yourself life lesson, I’m saying this because I want to see more people doing more and less people letting their talent go to waste.

Someone right now wants what you know how to do. I never thought I would need an emergency plumber. But a plumber in my town knew this could happen, and that’s why he set up shop.

Here he is, cutting off a corroded pipe and installing a brand new sink that I didn't even know I needed. (Another story, another time).

The bottom line is: sometimes freaking out is okay as long as it provides a learning lesson. A moment for you to grow and realize something about yourself. For me, I've realized that someone needs your skill set and you’re good enough already. You’ll have time to perfect it. That comes with practice. But right now, it’s time to get active. Take that leap of faith. Fear does not control you; it consults you in making the right decisions when you’re in danger. However, it is up to you to act.

I’m going get back to this leak now. But I want you to get started for me and everyone else under a sink right now thats waiting for your help. And when you start doing the work you were meant for, I want you to reach out to me and tell me all about it. And if you’ve already found it, leave me a comment and let me know what you’re working on so we can talk about it. So remember: be brave and don’t forget to freak out. You never know what you may discover. Now get out there and get to work. Somebody’s waiting.