Yes, I'm a Mind Reader
"Can you read my mind?", he asked half serious
"Tootally..." I answered to a joke I've heard a million times ever since I've graduate with my Psych degree.
I don't know why, but as soon as psychology is mentioned, everyone goes straight for the mind control and mind reading jokes. What I don't understand is how mind reading is more realistic than their response to the follow up question that always pops up.
"So what do you want to do with your degree?"
Most of the time, I secretly want to say something traditional. I wish I could honestly say I'm going be a psychologist, therapist, counselor, social worker, HR... you get the gist. But that's just not me.
What I want to do...
What I've been drawn to do my whole entire life...
The thing I could do hours everyday without getting paid for it... is be a life coach.
Oh friend, you should see the polite looks of disappointment that settles onto people's faces when I say that.
"Oh, how creative"
"Really? Well I'm sure it will work out"
"You know, I could really see you being a guard in a jail" (Excuse me... What!?!)
"Can you get healthcare doing that?"
My heart drops every time I get those responses. I want people to immediately understand my vision. To celebrate with me for finding something I'm truly passionate about. To realize that coaching is a tool to help people set a positive foundation so they can build the life of their dreams. But they don't. And honestly, it's not my job to convince them.
What is my job is to keep moving forward on the path I've been called on. To ignore the doubt from people who are too afraid to go after their own dreams and settled on the safe path. To focus on doing the best I can to serve those who believe in me and are ready to learn what I have to teach.
Sure, the criticism hurts. But what would hurt more is looking back on my life when I'm old and realizing that I let other people's opinions and limitations dictate what I was called to do.
So, to those who are too scared to say what they really want to do in a conversation, to those who are holding themselves back to avoid the naysayers, to those who have a vision of their life that they'd love to make a reality. Put on blinders, do the work, and let your actions silence their doubt. Because in the end, they are the ones who will be wishing they had had enough courage to go for what they wanted and you'll already be basking in the success you bravely created for yourself.
