Contribution: Your Personal Mission

One of the difficulties along your path will be that of breaking away from previously held standards: or what other people have been expecting of you.
This train of thought has been socially conditioned into your mind over the years. External expectations have followed you everywhere you’ve gone because the individuals around you were only trying to pass on what they had been taught. It’s not necessarily wrong, it’s just time to break that tradition.
A Giant Baby Step
This all changed for me once I became even more so aware of my own death. Coupled with the fact that I was stuck in this trap, I frantically made a sharp left turn.
“The step that you need to take is to begin to think of what you can contribute to others, and the rest will follow.”
Regardless of what scale or monetary return you will receive, if any at all, this action item is crucial in beginning to live your true calling.
I have found that this takes serious pressure off. You now hold yourself to your own standards and not what everyone else believes to be right for you.
You can expect backlash, but it has to be ignored. It goes away with time just as everything else does.
As you begin to shift your focus to what you can contribute, reality begins to mold into what you want it to be. The old is replaced with new and your values are expressed through your work, much like living a dream.
The Beginning of the Process
The process of making this happen is time and energy intensive. In other words, set your expectations high but also keep the bigger picture in mind. This is a challenge in itself, but will be touched on another time.
Here are two things you need to aware of once you begin the process of finding your contribution.
Change
Your first inclinations may not last as long as you initially thought but have no fear. It simply means you are one step closer to finding your real work. It is inevitable to have to shift gears, just know when to let go or put less time into a particular endeavor.
Pain will be experienced through change, but anytime you drive through mental or physical stress, you become better equipped to handle bigger things.
Uncertainty
You never know until you try. This is the number one thing that hold many of us back. In fact, it’s better to take action rather than get lost in thought and never execute a single idea that you come up with.
“When you throw yourself into something, tremendous growth is bound to occur but only if you’re willing to plow through the emotional labor.”
To find out immediately serves you better in the long run and is a sign of courage. Never, and I mean never, stay in something longer than you should. Stubbornness is a fool’s game and has to be avoided at all costs. Why? Time is your most precious resource.
Recap
- Contribution is the unique thing you want to offer to other people, but it takes thought and effort to figure this out.
- The expectations of others are simply their ideas: push your own ideas.
- You can expect confusion and discomfort, but you must get through this because these things only hold you back.
It is up to you to begin the process in working in your own direction. I can provide ammo for your arsenal, but it is up to you to pull the trigger.
-The Gypsy
