{flickr photo by: Coach O.}
Want to Be a Part of an Exciting New Challenge?
A few weeks ago I attended a talk by Callings author Gregg Levoy. If you are a TIB blog reader, you know that I can’t stop talking about that book.
Anyway, during the event we got into groups of 8 and conducted a little interactive exercise of our own.
One person asked a question that they had about finding their purpose in life and the rest of us listened intently.
One by one we asked questions to our focal person. Questions that inspired thought and derived from curiosity, not from judgement or our own agendas. In the end, the person asking the question felt heard and begin to see her dilemma in a new light.
Call me crazy, but I thought we could try doing it here.
With butterflies in my tummy, I asked if anyone was interested. And I got a few responses.
Today’s the day to try it.
We have one focal person (Amber) who will ask the question today at 2pm PT and anyone who is interested can leave a comment below with a corresponding question.
Amber can answer each question and elaborate on them if she wants to. And she can ask for advice in the end.
Hope you will join us today for the event!
Leave me a comment if you have any questions about the questions.
Brandi
April 26, 2011 at 9:38 pmLooks like Amber isn’t available today. Anyone have a question about their life purpose or calling, leave your question in the comments below.
Kristin Offiler
April 26, 2011 at 9:46 pmI can leave a question– I feel like I have so much intelligence, creativity, potential and ideas to make a decent income as a writer, but I haven’t gotten there yet. Should I get some other kind of job to pad my income in the meantime, or keep working at my writing business? (Sidenote: my husband makes a good income and we’re not struggling, but I want to contribute more).
Brandi
April 26, 2011 at 9:48 pmGreat question Kristin! Here’s my question response: What do you see yourself doing 5 years from now?
Brandi
April 26, 2011 at 9:51 pmKristin, you can respond to the questions if you want. Here is another question: If you were to continue working on your business focused on it 100%, how would you feel about yourself, your life, your relationship?
Kristin Offiler
April 26, 2011 at 9:54 pm5 years from now I see myself working from home running a freelance writing business. Actually, a friend who is a graphic designer and I have this idea to team up and create a one-stop-shop for businesses where we’d offer graphic design, copy writing, web design, spanish translation. I could see myself being a part of that business, and maybe running online courses in writing and selling e-books. Ideally, I want to work from home so when I have kids, I don’t have to give up my job or ask someone for time off. I also want to nurture my writing and make it my source of income. In 5 years, I see myself working for myself.
Brandi
April 26, 2011 at 9:57 pmWhat if you did it all? What if you worked together with your friend, had a successful business creating courses and selling e-books? What if you pursued your dream, but it took longer than expected because you had to focus on making money at the beginning of it? How would you feel?
Kristin Offiler
April 26, 2011 at 10:06 pmI honestly might feel frustrated if I had to focus my attention on another job while trying to make these goals happen…
Cathy Miller
April 26, 2011 at 9:59 pmWhat aspect is holding you back from earning more?
Kristin Offiler
April 26, 2011 at 10:07 pmI think the biggest aspect holding me back is that of creating/finding clients.
Brandi
April 26, 2011 at 10:08 pmWhat would it take for you to remove the obstacle from where you are now to where you want to be in 5 years?
Kristin Offiler
April 26, 2011 at 10:12 pmI think we’d need to figure out how to get the business started and functioning, then we could seek out clients. In the meantime, I’m working on breaking into magazine writing and copy writing, which could potentially hold me over for a while.
Mark
April 26, 2011 at 10:02 pmKristin, I ask these questions without judgement, only hoping to provide some thought provoking conversation.
When you think about talking to your kids and grandkids about your career, what do you imagine telling them?
Another question: How many hours do you feel it will take to produce a successful writing business?
Kristin Offiler
April 26, 2011 at 10:09 pmThanks Mark! I imagine telling my kids and grandkids that if they have a desire to do something with their life, they can do it and to provide them with ways they can do it. I’m not sure how many hours it would take… I don’t want to burn myself out, but I want to make it happen.
Brandi
April 26, 2011 at 10:11 pmIs fear a factor at all in your decision to pursue your dreams full-time?
Kristin Offiler
April 26, 2011 at 10:12 pmOh yeah, absolutely!
Brandi
April 26, 2011 at 10:13 pmWhat is your greatest fear in moving forward?
Brandi
April 26, 2011 at 10:26 pmHi Kristin!
I think that might be it for now. But wanted to say a few things. First of all, thank you so much for your courage in asking question here. I think that very fact shows that you have the passion and courage you would need to take a big risk and follow your dreams. Secondly, I’m just reading your comment online, but when you talked about your ideas and your dreams, I got excited too! Your enthusiasm for your purpose radiates through the computer. Lastly, it is your decision whether you should give it a go or do it part-time. I know a lot of people have been successful doing both. But I’m finding that a lot of people who don’t need to supplement their income with another part-time gig, do it because they feel guilty. There may be moments you feel that way too. But that might help motivate you to really take your business seriously. You could also consider giving yourself a certain time period to give your business your all and see how you do. Anyway, I hope you got something out of this short exercise Kristin! And thanks again for participating! Would love to know what you decide.
Kristin Offiler
April 26, 2011 at 10:36 pmThanks for the insights! This was fun. I’ll keep you posted!
Brandi
April 26, 2011 at 10:37 pmOh I can’t wait to hear (read) what you decide. Glad you had fun. I did too. =)
Amber
April 27, 2011 at 2:15 pmSorry I didn’t come through! I live in the ET timezone and forgot this was with PT. So it was later than I expected.
This was really great. My question wasn’t as good anyways lol. I hope you do this again sometime in the future ^_^
Brandi
May 7, 2011 at 6:21 pmThanks Amber! I might do it if I get enough of a response to do it again.