Every big idea starts out as a whim: “Hmm, wouldn’t that be great?”
Until we follow the idea, we can’t be sure if we actually want it. In other words, it’s important to follow your natural curiosity. We all have different things that intrigue us. That’s what makes us unique. It’s following our natural curiosity that leads us to our destiny.
Let’s say that I’m frustrated, because I think I want to start a business, but I believe there is no chance for that to happen.
So I don’t pursue it. I don’t do any research. I don’t talk to business owners. I don’t find a mentor. What’s the point if I don’t have a shot, right?
However, if I did do the legwork, guess what I might find: I don’t really want to start a business after all. Now that I know what it’s like, I know it’s not for me. But because I’ve let myself be bullied into not trying, I stay frustrated, believing that I have a dream that is out of reach.
If instead I let myself believe it is possible, I’d do the research and find out faster that starting a business isn’t as exciting as I thought it would be.
That discovery frees me up to move on to other things that are more interesting.
As I did my research into business ownership, maybe I discovered that I’m fascinated by developing new products or leading a team of people or serving others. Maybe I found out about a new up-and-coming company with a position that would be perfect for me. Regardless, I connect with what excites me. And now I have the drive to move forward and do something big.
“I’ve always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.” This is a Lily Tomlin joke, but there’s good advice behind it.
If you don’t figure out what you want, you’ll get whatever life hands you.
Winners know that if you don’t figure out what you want, you’ll get whatever life hands you.
[bctt tweet=” Winners know that if you don’t figure out what you want, you’ll get whatever life hands you. “]
The best way to figure it out is to believe that just about anything is possible, if you put in the effort and pursue your whims until they lead you somewhere more interesting.
[bctt tweet=”Pursue your whims until they lead you somewhere more interesting. “]
I started playing guitar in high school, and I really enjoyed it. For a while, I thought about trying to become a professional musician. My belief was that I had the dedication and drive to make it happen. I spent time around musicians, studied what their lives were like, how they found success. And I discovered a big problem: most musicians are on the road about 80 percent of their lives. Because I had traveled constantly as a kid, that was the worst thing I could imagine. So, being a professional musician wasn’t for me. Instead, I kept playing the guitar as a hobby, and I still enjoy it. If I had let myself become frustrated by my “unfulfilled dreams of stardom,” I might have given up on the guitar entirely and missed out on something that brings me a lot of joy.
Winners dig in on their ideas.
They read about them, they talk about them, they connect with people, they ask questions.
[bctt tweet=”Winners dig in on their ideas. They read about them, they talk about them, they ask questions. “]
What are the possibilities? How do you go about it? They immerse themselves in the reality of it. The process gives them a chance to realize for themselves whether they want it or not.
Life is too short to pursue everything available to us, and that’s where your natural curiosity becomes a tool for efficiency.
It’s like an internal Geiger counter that propels you toward the things that might provide the answers to your big questions. If you use it well, it will help you get organized and create the life you want faster.
Sometimes it does take a while to get to the work you’re most driven to do and find most exciting.
Take advantage of the opportunities in front of you.
The good news is that you can learn and accomplish a whole lot along the way just by taking advantage of the opportunities in front of you and pursuing what you’re curious about right now.
You’ll discover the big thing you want to do next and you’ll contribute your excitement and energy to the world!
So don’t hold back. Pursue your whims and see where they lead. Chances are it’s going to be someplace you find very exciting!
This post is an adapted excerpt from my book, Serial Winner. If you’re a fan of the book, please leave me a review on Amazon! To learn more and get a copy of your own, click here!
