What's Your Calling?

On my personal climb to the top, I need to be reminded of a couple of things:

• Where I've come from
• Where I'm headed
• Flaws and Strengths

Usually on that journey, I get an opportunity to clear my mind. Those moments of clarity come when I'm usually in two places, in the sky or the beach. As a young child growing up traveling between the two coasts for family purposes (my mother's side is on the west coast while my father's side is on the east coast) I grew accustomed to airplanes. While some may fear the airplane's heights and turbulence, I need it (minus the turbulence part-those are the worst!). Something about staring out the window and recognizing how minute I am in this sprawling world clears my mind. I gaze at God's creation and realize my purpose is just as pertinent as the dusty mountains or cotton candy white clouds. 

As for the beach, well it comes with the territory of being an Aquarius- the water sign. I was blessed with parents who took every opportunity to send their kids to islands in far away places every time it was spring break or summer time. Eventually the frequency of such travel slowed down once my siblings and I went to college, but the water…something about the sun basking my skin in the blue waters still resonates with me.

For this point in my life now, my best friend is quite quaint with recognizing my strengths and weaknesses because he recognizes my potential at the times when I lose to my own vices. Having grown up in Texas, half of my life consisted of being involved in sports which in turn meant I always had a team around me or a coach on top of that. Perfecting any sport requires practice, especially in areas that are the most sluggish. Having a team of friends who support me and my best friend/coach to watch my every move is such a blessing.

Then every once in a while, the writer in me captures inspiration from other pieces of written word. Here's one from a Forbes writer who was able to cover a women's conference that had Sara Blakely as the keynote presenter. Sara Blakely is the founder of Spanx, a product that reinvented the women undergarment industry after discovering the dire need for change. According to the article, since over 50 years ago, undergarments were made from "absurd sizing protocols" and were never tested on real people. Blake's entrepreneurial spirits found her the youngest self-made female billionaire in history.

Allow me to share the writer's lessons learned from Blakely's presentation that I find applicable to not just business enthusiasts but like-minded individuals on the climb to the top. 

1. Fail Big
2. Visualize It
3. Don't share your fragile idea with the world too soon.
4. Don't take no for an answer.
5. Hire people you like and trust.
6. You don't have to go in order.
7. You CAN figure it out- you have the ability.
8. You can build a billion dollar business starting with $5,000.
9. Don't worry about the outer "stuff" until the time is right.
10. Breaking the mold is a good thing.

Sara's most important tip:

"Believe in your idea, trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to fail."

The writer ended the article with an insightful tip of her own: "What is possible when we believe, when we're resourceful beyond measure, and when our passion and commitment to something outside ourselves brings us to a calling."

"What are you most afraid of failing at? Will you get in the cage with your fears and take a step toward your dream today?"

Here's to our journey, cheers.