Last weekend, Chris Guillebeau’s WDS conference welcomed 3,000 global citizens living remarkable lives in a conventional world to downtown Portland, Oregon.
World records were made. Ideas, insight and inspiration were shared. (And, I’m now on a first name basis with Bacon. So…success.)
Perspective changing thinkers, doers, leaders, writers, digital media outlaws, magicians, founders and entrepreneurs all gave the participants much to consider.
Here are my favorite takeaways from Saturday morning’s first keynote speaker, best-selling author, Jon Acuff.
“If Your 3rd Grade Self Could See Your 36-year-old Self, Would They Clap or Cry?”
As one of the funniest writers of his generation, Acuff knows a lot about finding and expressing one’s voice.
The big trap? There are so many ways to lose it.
Somewhere between 3rd grade and adulthood, we’re trained by our schools, our teachers, our employers and society to color inside the lines, conform and “behave.”
This advice is often well-intentioned. However, we all know what they say about paths paved with good intentions…
The passionate cartoonist is advised to get a business degree.
The accomplished musician is advised to consider a “more marketable career path.”
The highly curious student who’s fascinated by everything is instructed to specialize.
In fact, our path to real joy, fulfillment and success is not sprinkled with hedged bets. We, and those we love and care for, are much better served if we embrace and focus our unique voice with unyielding commitment.
Yes, there will be many forks in the road beckoning you to turn off your path. These forks are often masked as “the responsible thing” or “the sensible choice.” But, you have to go all in and stay all in.
Remember the parable of the Frog and the Boiling Pot?
One frog jumps into a pot of boiling water. He immediately jumps out, knowing the hot water will eventually cook him to death.
A second frog jumps into a pot of lukewarm water. However, the heat is gradually turned up on the little croaker. It’s so subtle, he doesn’t realize it. He boils to death and ends up this at your favorite local Thai place.
This is what happens to so many in adulthood.
People start making what seem like small, sensible choices. 30 years later, they’re so far from their unique voice–their passion, their gift, their raison d’être–it’s barely a whisper.
Don’t Trade Your Voice for Money
“While kids think you need some money, adults think you need enough money,” Acuff said.
Get it? Adults who think they have enough are as rare as a quality customer service interaction with your cable provider.
Kids know that money is best used for experiences or to serve greater purposes.
Maybe one day that purpose is summer camp.
Maybe one day it’s a family outing for ice cream.
Maybe it’s helping a person in need buy proper clothing so they’re not cold in winter. Or, feeding a weary orphan on the other side of the world you’ll never even meet. Or, supporting a student who can’t continue their formal education without your financial assistance.
Money serves the wise master, but, in adulthood, it too often becomes the master.
Unfortunately, adults frequently ditch their voice to chase a 3% raise, a title on a business card or the clichéd “corner office.”
If they just earn more money. If they just get that promotion. If they just make partner at the firm…
They caste their voice aside for more green paper.
Never. Enough.
Don’t Trade Your Voice for a Lobster Cage
Birds and lobsters. Birds fly high in the sky. Lobsters settle for a cage.
Acuff put it this way: “A lobster cage is a great place for a bird’s nest, but not for a lobster. Yet, when we get bird ideas, we often ask lobsters for advice.”
What an excellent analogy.
The bird can fly away from the nest. But, for the lobster in the cage, there’s only one next step. That step involves extra butter, a goofy plastic bib and a $39.99 VISA charge for a hungry tourist.
Why would anyone settle for life in a cage, much less hope for approval from someone stuck in a cage? Who cares what they think?
Quit hanging out with lobsters. Quit creating things you don’t care about. Be known for your voice, not a lobster’s version of perfect.
Your voice is unique, powerful and God-given. If you’ve lost it, recapture it and start honoring it today.
Make sure your third grade self would clap–loudly–for your adult self.
Doug Wilks is the Lead Director at StrengthsLauncher. For more thoughts on discovering, developing and focusing your natural talent, please bookmark our blog at StrengthsLauncher/blog.com
*Image credit – Armosa Studios
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