Have Fun Not Knowing What You Want to Offer the World

I was thinking about a website I’d seen that I really liked; it was essentially someone offering coaching. The vibe was great; the whole way the service had been pitched used a very authentic, easy style. My first thought was “I’d like to adopt that vibe when I finally figure out what I have to offer the world.”

When I think back to the times in my life I had to pull together a resume, I had to dig deep. I didn’t recognise my true talents. It took a long time to figure out who I really am, not because that was particularly hard, I just hadn’t been focused on it. I’d been so absorbed in doing my best at everything I had no idea where my natural gifts lay.

It’s been a joy to since explore and uncover who I am, and look at myself in different ways.

So as I contemplated this question about what I have to offer the world, I realised it’s not what we have to offer that is important, it’s what we want to offer that is the question. When I think back to those resumes I’ve written in my life, I remember how tempting it was to include each and every marketable success; yet there were some of those I had no wish to repeat.

Like the time I led a very hands-on project for months, developing a customer response and tracking system, requiring many bespoke technological changes to the off-the-shelf product (which the company then included as new features in their offering to others). While the project was successful, it was grueling, and I had no wish to repeat it.

After so many years of trying to do my best at everything, now I appreciate - while I have some great things to offer - there are also many other things others can do more easily and they enjoy them. Leading a technological project would certainly not feature on my list.

So I then wondered, “What would I like to offer?” I know I feel compelled to help people, I’m drawn to the challenge of finding some words that might inspire someone to move forwards when they are feeling stuck. But what I want to offer in relation to that, changes often; sometimes it’s just sharing my perspective through a conversation or an article, sometimes it’s more involved.

I realised I’m just not ready to land on any answers yet, I don’t want to be pinned down; I’m enjoying exploring, browsing and playing, I want to keep it fluid. And I know that is okay, I’m having fun. I might be ready to land in a day, a month or a year – it might not be for several more years (or ever) – it doesn’t matter.

I used to get frustrated, wondering “where is this all taking me?” In fact, I’d feel that I needed to know exactly where I was going. The big realization about what I would like to offer the world is that I’m genuinely feeling comfortable not knowing right now; the answer can change on a daily basis. In fact, I’d go so far as to say I’m more than just comfortable, I’m actually excited about all future possibilities.

When I was young my gran often used the phrase “what’s for you won’t go by you”, while I always believed that in the big scheme of things this was true, I didn’t trust in it day to day. Finally though I’ve got the message, just go with the flow and enjoy it all.

I know life has this amazing habit of unfolding in ways I just couldn’t have planned or even imagined. When I look back at the times in my life where I’ve felt stuck: in relationships, jobs, places, or situations; it all seems like such a short ride in hindsight.

Instead of worrying about where life might lead me, I decided to live life more in the moment. Really, with the summer school holidays there was no choice. I’ve been throwing myself into whatever I am doing and enjoying things. The more I do that, the happier I’ve been and the more I seem inclined to trust things will work out as they always do.

I’m not saying I won’t face challenges, but since those are the very things that have always led me to better places in my life I just need to remember that when they arise, challenges are a gift.

What matters is I’m enjoying the ride and because I know what I enjoy and what I’m good at, and I get to practice it in many different guises as I go. Even if I do land on something in particular I want to offer the world, it will no doubt evolve again in search of more personal growth, and that will be okay too.

Life feels permanent but it’s an illusion. Everything from our relationships and our jobs, to our minds and bodies, it’s all temporary. Life moves on and it takes us with it, giving us opportunities to change, to drown, to thrive, to transition from one to the next. The key is being awake enough to our own life to see the opportunities when they arise.

So forget about what you want to offer the world, just have fun doing whatever you are interested in and enjoy each and every day as it comes.
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If you enjoyed this you might also enjoy Finding Your Purpose – the Magic of Those Who Believe in You. If you feel stuck in the weeds and would like a fresh perspective on a situation in your own life, feel free to contact me with an outline of your circumstances or click here for further information, I love to help. To be the first to receive these posts, you can also opt to subscribe to my blog.