WHAT DO YOU DO?
We are all so tied to that question. It is in the top three questions we ask when we meet someone new. It is stamped on our business cards, on our income tax form and in our hearts. Executive Director, Counselor, Teacher, or Plumber – it doesn’t matter what you label it with- it probably isn’t accurate. When I left my position as “Executive Director,” I struggled with a new label, a new title and a new identity. It took me some time to transition, but after careful thought I came up with my new response. When I was asked that ever popular question, I began proudly stating, “I am a Speaker and an Author.” That was followed with the question, “What do you speak and write about?” I realized that calling myself a speaker and author was not an accurate description of what my life mission is. I have stood in front of people all over the country speaking for years. I have arranged words in creative ways beginning with writing my first story, “The Purple Easter Bunny,” in 2nd grade. But why do I do this? What impact does it have on others? Now I answer that question in a totally different way. A way that lays out my life mission in eleven words. “I Teach People How to Love Their Life – NO MATTER WHAT!” That gets right to the heart of it and begins a conversation that has depth and touches hearts. Everyone wants to learn how to do this and immediately asks me for more information. I do it through sharing my life stories, my life lessons and yes, of course, through speaking and writing. But my mission in life is to help others Love Their Lives. That’s it…. Short, simple and to the point. The labels and titles we stamp on our business cards are more of an importance booster for our egos. They don’t really say who we are or what we do. How can you say what you do in a way people understand? How can you share your life mission in a way that touches hearts? An Executive Director – Leads people to fulfilling their goals. A Counselor – Creates a space for others to learn about themselves. A Teacher – Opens the minds of others to new experiences. A Plumber – Is a Problem Solver An Artists doesn’t just paint, sculpt or draw—they capture emotion in a way that activates emotion in others. There are so many ways of saying what you do without the textbook titles we have been trained to respond with. The title is of little importance. It is the reason you do it – the “why” of what you do that matters. The next time someone asks you, “What do you do?” What will you say? Pennie’s Life Lesson: “Say what you do in a way that touches hearts and states YOUR heart’s mission.” YOUR TURN... My intent in sharing this with you is to encourage you to think about what YOU do and how you express that to others. Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below. And please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. Thank you! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2013-2015 Pennie Hunt This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt. Feel free to forward this post. Please keep the entire message intact, including contact, logo, and copyright information. If you have any questions or comments, or for reprint permission please email: [email protected] Thank you!
2 Comments
Great post, Pennie! I like that you included examples of how to say what you do in a way that people understand. It helps make a better connection with another, in my opinion, rather than saying a Counselor, Teacher, etc. it gives more "meat" to it, if you will.
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5/23/2015 01:27:53 am
Thank you so much for your comment Theresa! It really is the "WHY" of what we do -- what pulls our heart to do it - that is important and touches others. It is too bad we are not trained to express ourselves like this! Have a grand day!
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