How to Find Your Voice and Passion
Have you ever felt invisible? You are sharing your heart with others to help them get to a better place in life … you show up to work ready to share your expertise … you are spreading your passion through articles and social media, but you hear crickets. Lately, I have been hearing from gifted and passionate people who are experiencing this whether it is at their work, their own business and mission or a combination of both. Some have even said they have been holding back their voice (wisdom, insights, opinions) because of fear and “what others may think.” True, there are many voices out there, but do you really want to give up on your precious calling, gifts and talents? Someone out there needs you! So, if you are feeling this way, let me coach you!
You are being heard. There is no way to figure out why one person reaches hundreds or thousands, and others do not. Think about it…. why do you like the messages of some people, but do not follow posts and articles of others? I am sure most of your reasoning is because something resonates with you with the people you follow. You do not dislike the others, but certain people speak to you. And the same about you…. you speak to certain people.
“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I’m not going to be silent.” Madeleine Albright, First Female Secretary of State
A WILLINGNESS TO SUFFER FOR WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO
First, let us talk PASSION. The word Passion was a Twelfth Century Latin word which means to suffer. It painted the narrative of the Passion of the Christ. Passion is choosing something that is worth suffering for. If you are passionate about your career, starting a Foundation, volunteering or starting a business, then you will continue this road whether people are giving you daily "high-fives," or "likes and views" on your social media or praises in person. You will continue with your passion even when others don’t get it, or when it takes more time to get some traction.
Next, use the word PASSION to describe your mission, gifts, talents or cause(s) you care about so much that you are willing to suffer for it. If you are doing your passion as a business, then study other successful people in the same arena, glean from them and then apply those tools to your mission with your handprint on it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to reach the multitudes with your passion. If that is the case, study those who are already doing it and see how you can incorporate it into your life or business. If your passion is volunteer work or helping others in your community, step into it and see what happens.
A couple I have known for over thirty years have always wanted to be missionaries. Over a year ago, it happened. They left all behind here in the United States: solid income, jobs, family and security. Why? Because they love the people of Indonesia and felt called to minister to them. Today they are reaching the people in their Indonesian community one person at a time and are loving it.
PASSION PARTNERS WITH YOUR VOICE
“They learn of their true nature and gifts. They use them to develop a vision of great things they want to accomplish. With wisdom, they take initiative and cultivate great understanding of the needs and opportunities around them. They meet those needs that match their unique talents, that tap their highest motivations and that makes a difference. In short, they find and use their voice.” (Stephen Covey 2005)
Your voice is your authentic self, speaking to and through you. It is your personal and individual message to the world. It is your brand that you are marketing to others whether it’s starting a business, volunteer work, seeing a need in your community and filling the void or sharing your expertise in your profession.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
1. Listen and follow your inner voice. No matter how anyone reacts or does not react to you, you need to believe in yourself and believe in your message. If you do not, then you will silence yourself out of fear; fear of how others will react; fear you will not be liked, etc.
2. What ignites you? You may be passionate about helping people with mental health issues, helping people find their passion in life, helping entrepreneurs, helping single parents, etc. Lean into your passion and lean into your voice.
3. Do not worry about what others think. People need to hear what you are passionate about and your wisdom on a topic. If you are focused on being liked, it will hinder your voice. The right people at the right time will hear your message! Trust the process.
4. Your audience may be 1 or 1,000. Your voice may reach one person at a time or hundreds at a time…. does it matter? Will you share your message with the same passion with 5 people as you would with 5,000?
5. Comparison. Do you find yourself looking to see how many likes or views you have on a social media post? We all have done it. Do you compare your social media responses to others? Don’t compare your mission and calling to what others are doing. There is room for you, too!
6. Spirit, Soul and Body. If you are balanced and healthy in these areas, you will have more to give to others. On an airplane, they tell you to put the mask on yourself first. This way you have what you need (air) so that you can successfully help those around you.
7. Ask yourself some questions. What ignites you? What are your known skills and talents that can benefit others? How can you create value for others? When you think about your gifts and passion, does it bring a smile to your face? When you think about your voice, what do you feel on the inside?
There is a voice inside of you
That whispers all day long,
“I feel this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong.”
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
Or wise man can decide
What’s right for you–just listen to
The voice that speaks inside.
Shel Silverstein, author of “The Voice,”