"Sit tight, here comes the story"
Lila always cherished receiving written letters. Back in the day, when she corresponded with her grandmother and friends through letters, it held a special significance for her. Whether it was the personal touch of the other person's unique handwriting on the crisp pages, the time they took to give her undivided attention, carefully considering each word they communicated, or the realization that it was a tangible keepsake, preserving memories of good times, written letters held a special place in Lila's heart. For many reasons, they were dear to her. As she sorted through her mail one day, something caught her attention: a letter from a good friend.
She couldn't believe it. How thoughtful of Beth! Just a few weeks ago, Lila had been discussing a dilemma with Beth—the very same Beth who had now sent her this letter. The dilemma? Whether or not Lila should pursue a different profession. Tired of the sales world, she yearned to try something new. However, her years of experience in sales had undermined her confidence in venturing into unfamiliar territory. Lila sought support from her good friend Beth, a 70-year-old woman who had embarked on numerous ventures throughout her life. Lila admired Beth greatly for her courage to start over time and time again.
Without further due, Lila opens the letter:
"Dear Lila,
I hope this letter finds you well. I was thinking about our conversation and how confused and afraid you were to try something new. I thought that sharing my journey through life with you might provide some inspiration as you navigate your own path, especially now at the crossroad you are in deciding whether or not to quit your job and pursue something new.
You may know how my life has been a mosaic of varied professions and passions. In my twenties, I was an attorney, fiercely advocating for my clients in the courtroom and growing to a leadership position as a State Attorney that gave me power, influence and money that helped me to start my family. I loved the challenge, but after a decade, I felt the itch for something different. So, I pursued my interest in philosophy, I went back to school and did my Master degree in Philosophy. I immersed myself in the great works, and eventually taught philosophy at a local college. I found immense joy in exploring the big questions of life and engaging with young minds.
In my forties, I decided to follow the passion I had for art. That’s when I started studying to become an art therapist, helping people heal through creative expression. And that was the door I entered when I reached my fifties, my love for writing. I started crafting short stories and essays, some of which were published in literary magazines. My home became filled with stacks of manuscripts and notebooks brimming with ideas.
Now, at 70, I’ve published several books and continue to feel excited about the world of words, feelings and imagination that I immerse myself every time I get behind my computer screen (and my notebook - because I am still a lover of written letters as you probably can tell by the surprise I just did ). I’ve also taken up yoga and meditation. I find peace and joy in my daily practice. I was talking to a dear friend the other day and she told me about this community center where she volunteers at helping others discover their passions. I think I might check that out soon.
All that to tell you that life is not a straight path but a series of adventures. It’s okay to change directions, try new things, and follow different passions. Each phase of my life brought me joy and fulfillment, and I feel that I never let age or fear hold me back.
So, Lila, as you stand at the crossroads of your mid-thirties, remember me. Embrace your curiosity, explore your interests, and don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself. Life is long and full of opportunities, no matter your age".
Lila closes the letter and Beth’s words linger in the air. In a world dominated by instant digital communication, the act of receiving such thoughtful letters stands out as a meaningful, personal, and cherished form of connection with her dear friend. She can’t help but to feel an extra excitement to maybe pursue her passion for photography.
Let’s talk about this:
Some time ago I listened to a TED talk called "The Curiosity Driven Life" by Elizabeth Gilbert. She is best known for her memoir "Eat, Pray, Love." In this talk, Gilbert addresses the idea of pursuing a creative and fulfilling life, even if one doesn’t have a singular passion.
The talk made me think of several situations in my life where I felt so pressured to find my "passion" and pursue it relentlessly. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a teacher. Then, during my teenage years, while my friends were all talking about their passions and what majors they wanted to pursue, I was considering Medicine or Social Communication (very similar, right?) and ended up becoming a Speech Therapist. This career lasted only a few years until I moved to the United States and had to reinvent myself. Was I looking for a passion or just a job that paid my bills? Again, feeling pressured because I didn’t have a passion, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in something that seemed interesting - a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology. This degree helped me land several internships and a job at Stanford School of Medicine - ironic, working in a School of Medicine since, in the past, I thought my passion was Medicine. I kept jumping from job to job until I ended up in the Customer Experience industry. Is this really what I was passionate about, or did life just happen and I went along with it?
In a conversation with a former manager about growth, she asked me if I left that job, would I be pursuing another role in Customer Experience. I said, "Probably not! I might go more towards developing people because that’s what brings me the biggest joy at work." Well, I did jump to another position in Customer Experience. The thing is, I love being a leader and developing others, and I think that might be applicable in any industry. :) But the pressure of not knowing if I am truly passionate about it knocks on my door again.
Back to Gilbert’s talk, she helped me realize that this approach of “following your passion” isn't for everyone. Instead, she advocates for following curiosity as a more gentle and accessible guide to a fulfilling life. Wow!!! That changed something inside me. I took the pressure off. I am a curious person by nature, and according to her, curiosity can lead to unexpected discoveries and opportunities. By paying attention to what sparks your interest, even in small ways, you can embark on a path of continuous learning and exploration. Bingo!
This talk relieved the pressure of having to identify a singular passion, which can be intimidating and paralyzing for some people. Instead, she encourages embracing a more fluid and exploratory approach. She suggests practical steps for cultivating a curiosity-driven life, such as noticing what catches your attention, being open to new experiences, and not being afraid to try different things without the need for a grand plan.
I used this podcast in one of the leadership events I led a few years ago with my team. As we were discussing the power of exercising curiosity and being open to new experiences, I realized that I didn’t have a grand plan to pursue my supposed passion for people development. However, as I facilitated the discussion with my team, I felt a huge sense of fulfillment that helped me prove her philosophy. I noticed that facilitation was definitely something that brought me joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction. That event was one of the most fulfilling job activities I ever had.
Finally, she makes such a nice analogy that I hope it helps you to relieve the pressure of yourself if you don’t have a specific passion to follow. She talks about the difference between Jackhammers (woodpeckers) and hummingbirds. Woodpeckers use their strong and sharp beaks to excavate cavities in trees for nesting and foraging. Hummingbirds fly around feeding on nectar from flowers and pollinating in many ecosystems. Then comes the question: are you a woodpecker or a hummingbird? Do you have one specific passion that you keep focusing on and developing or are you a hummingbird that goes around trying new things?
There is no right or wrong if you are one or the other, or a combination of both. I just find that Gilbert's message is liberating for those who struggle to identify a single, overriding passion. Instead, she offers a more accessible and less daunting path to personal and creative fulfillment through the consistent pursuit of curiosity.
It seems that Lila’s friend, Beth, is a hummingbird and has found pleasure in doing so. Will Lila get inspired by her friend’s stories? Will you?
What excellence looks like:
Trying different passions may allow us to explore our different interests, talents, and capabilities, fostering personal growth and self-discovery.
Experimenting with different passions can cultivate resilience and adaptability, as we learn to navigate setbacks, failures, and uncertainties
Pursuing diverse passions can bring joy, excitement, and a sense of fulfillment, enhancing our overall well-being and life satisfaction.
Food for Thought:
""Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." Steve Jobs
Call for action:
"What do you value more: depth of expertise in one area or breadth of experience across multiple interests?"
You might value a bit of both, if so: how can you enhance the balance of both to create an even more fulfilling and satisfying life?
Resources:
The curiosity driven-life - by Elizabeth Gilbert
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