Finding yourself before leading others

Have you seen the Pixar movie “Soul”? I always remember Joe, the main character, who is a middle school band teacher, and his dream is to play on stage with a jazz legend, Dorothea.

He finally gets an audition with her; during the audition, he enters a flow state, almost like a trance. He performs exceptionally well, and everyone is impressed. Then, after leaving the audition and heading home, he falls through a storm drain and dies. The story just began.

This story is about dreams, passions, and finding the real purpose in life. I highly recommend it!

What would you do if you had the chance to live after a near-death experience? Have you thought about your purpose in life?

I’ve been hearing more and more from people who work, have families, and still carry a quiet sense that something is missing, that there’s more for them, that this isn’t it, that they’re meant for something else…

Have you ever felt the same way?

I know it can be scary to try something new, to miss the “stability” of your current work, have an identity crisis, lose the approval of your family, etc…

And, I have the same questions for you:

What are you meant to bring into this world? What is your purpose? Are you on track?

Maybe before Artificial Intelligence and the current wars, you could stay at your job until retirement and play safe. I don’t know if that exists nowadays.

In the coming years, there are many possibilities of massive digitalization and job cancellations. Then, people’s years of experience and knowledge would not be enough to be selected for a new job.

In reality, it could be a new opportunity to slow down and to choose to do things differently.

And start leading your life from who you really are, your talents, strengths, and real call. Maybe the call that God prepares for you.

Think about:

1. Have you slowed down recently? For how long?

2. Have you reflected on your talents? What hidden inner potential do you carry?

3. What project, profession, or dream could put you in a flow state?

Let’s start the coaching exercise today.

A first step to finding yourself is to write down:

1. Explore your God-given gifts: what comes naturally to you? What do others affirm of you?

2. What breaks your heart and you want to fix or contribute?

3. What would you love to serve? Where do you feel joy when you serve? Write down 3 moments this week when you felt energized.

4. How can you help others if you develop your deepest potential?

5. How would you feel if you align your life with this bigger mission?

The second step is:

What’s one small step I can take in that direction? It’s not about quitting your job or making a drastic change today, but about taking one simple, visible action that moves you forward.

What could that be? Maybe...

1. Search groups or events with people in that field; meet them.

2. Talk with someone you know who has transitioned to that field.

3. Look for a coach to get clarity and be accountable in the first 90 days. Then, you can look for a mentor for guidance.

4. Try a new activity, volunteering, take a one-hour online lesson, shadow someone for a day.

You find meaning when your life follows your values, when your contribution fulfills your heart, when your growth aligns with giving more to the cause, and when the mission connects with people and serves them.

“Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Let’s have the courage to find ourselves, to stop what we are doing to check if we’re on the right track, the track of our hearts.

If you knew you had one year left, what path would your heart choose?

Paola,

Career and Leadership Coach - Lead with passion, enthusiasm, and humanity.