When I was a little girl, my family used to call me “nosy Rosie.” That was my nickname. They called me that because I was an extremely curious child. I always wanted to know what everyone was doing, how stuff worked, why certain things happened in the world.
I had a beautiful love affair with Encyclopedia Brown and idolized Nancy Drew as if she were a real person.
I wanted to know everything about everything.
When I was about six or so, my grandfather (or uncle, I can’t remember which) gave me a magnifying glass to play with. I thought it was the best gift ever. Now, I thought, I have the key to all the secrets of the world!
As an adult, I now know that life doesn’t work that way. You can’t just buy a magnifying glass (or a book, or a training course) and expect it to show you the wonders of the world or give you all the answers. You have to actually go out and experience the world for yourself. That’s the only way you figure out what’s what.
***
Right now, I’m feeling exhausted, grateful and inspired from a day of speaking and meeting amazing women making a difference in Massachusetts. I absolutely love what I do.
What I’ve learned is that the biggest benefit of getting paid to do what you love is not the “getting paid” part. It’s the feeling that you’re doing something meaningful with your life.
Every day you do meaningless work is a day you’ll never get back. Life is too short to spend 8+ hours a day at a job you hate.
But at least a job is secure, you say. What about all the risks involved in going out on my own, following my passion, or pursuing my dream job?
One bubble we might want to burst is that no one’s job is secure anymore. NO ONE’S. So banking 100% on a job right now is actually a risk. You take a risk that your company might go out of business or lay you off with very little notice. So you might as well enjoy your work along with the risk. You might as well commit to doing the work you love.
Besides, the real risk is not in going after your dream job or starting your own business, but in never finding out what’s truly possible for your life.
The shame is not in potentially “failing” but in never knowing the full extent of your potential.
You deserve to know.
You deserve to win.
But you don’t win by watching from the sidelines. You win by playing the damn game. And it’s only by playing, by jumping off the bench and into the ambiguity of action, that you come to know that you’re capable of winning in the first place.
Don’t die not knowing.
Rosetta Thurman is a nationally-recognized author, speaker, mentor and coach dedicated to helping women create their ideal lives.
Wonderfully put! Life is too short to live it on a path that isn’t directed towards your purpose!
Really love this =D
Me and my co worker was just talking about this…this may post may be a sign.
I think this is my favorite post of yours yet! If I could give you a standing ovation right now I would. Seriously, every word of this post is amazing and so right on point. THANK YOU for putting this truth out into the world. I absolutely love it.
This is a powerful post. I am inspired to refocus on my dream of med school (although I am quickly approaching the age of 40)…because I don’t want to die without knowing. Thank you.
Congrats on going back to school! You’re NEVER too old. Never.
Sis you have hit this right on point. I am in the process of doing what I love that is helping others to realize their potential and to grasp onto their dreams. Life is too short to sit back singing the shoulda, coulda, woulda song.
This is very true. Years ago, there was something called job security and you know you can fall back on it knowing you just did a good job. These days, anyone’s and everyone’s neck is extended for the axe.
It’s a great plan to have a side plan to have extra income coming in, instead of just relying on the standard pay check.
Yep, that’s why I love the idea of having a side hustle!