Re: OPEN for discussion: DO WHAT YOU LOVE, THE MONEY WILL FOLLOW...

Hi Gordon and Everyone!

I was thrilled to see you opening up this discussion. It certainly seems to be one of the current "buzz-expressions"...in the coaching community the next one that seems to be brewing is "Work Less, Make More"...not brand new but building momentum.

Like you, Gordon, I found a lot of joy working with folks with Mental Illness as well as the Developmentally Disabled. In fact, some of my greastest memories of working was when I was barely 18 years old and working in a Community Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled. I worked on the unit with the lowest functioning souls...and promptly drew them out of their quiet places.

My work with folks with schizophrenia was equally rewarding...as long as I was working with them and not creating a paper trail. The Clinicians had it even worse....almost like attorneys in that they were required to Bill, Bill, Bill Medi-Cal for all they were worth! (Quite a racket...a very very sad racket as well.)

Anyway, I digress!

Among these two jobs, though, is a thread that still plays out in my life. Work with people, one on one or in small groups to reach higher heights than they would have reached on their own.

Create techniques that others have not thought of or applied yet. Use my innate humor along with my deep caring to engage folks of any background.

Which brings me to the heart of my message....

> I preach about doing your mission, finding
> your passion, and living in the moment of
> NOW. And that is why I must confess to being
> of two minds on this. I am a hypocrite in
> that I do believe that people should find
> what they love to do, DO IT, and the money
> will follow.

***As you know, Gordon, if this is what you are preaching than I am the choir! Its interesting, I bumped into a woman from church last week in the mall and spoke about my work. She asked about how I go about coaching people to clarify their purpose. She asked me, "Do you do personality tests, gift assessments? And then they know exactly what they are supposed to DO?"

The answer for her was the same as it is here. It is not so much as DOING what you love, it is BEING who you love....returning to your own authentic self, and then DO what is an expression of that.

I know SO many people who think their purpose is all about DOING this and DOING that or WEARING this role of RUNNING this show or that, when if they would really dig into who they are at their CORE....the questions would just burst forth.

Base what you DO on who you ARE.....spin it together with your core values, your vision for the planet and your spiritual self and viola! What you DO will come naturally.....

At least for me it has.

> I found from first hand experience, and
> working with hundreds of people, that being
> OK with what you do to make a living is the
> first step toward finding the freedom to
> follow your passion.

When you know WHO you are, what your PURPOSE is, it does not matter what particular HAT or ROLE you are wearing that day....you can do it literally anywhere at anytime.

My life purpose supports me whether I am being Mama, Volunteer, Entrepreneur, Facilitator, Instructor, Personal Coach, Poet, Karaoke Singer, Sister, Lover, Inspirer, Golf Pro...wait, I don't know a THING about golf except for HIT THE BALL! (I will never forget that lesson)...the point is, I am hoping you see the picture I am painting.

> But what is at issue is DOING WHAT YOU LOVE
> and the MONEY WILL FOLLOW.

That is all my anecdotal evidence for the night...what I do know is that fewer and fewer workers are confident of their future in corporate America. People are working more hours with less job satisfaction overall. My favorite book with the exact figures is not at my desk! Must be on my nightstand...sorry about not having specifics.

I bumped into an old friend from County Mental Health the other day. Last time I saw him I was dancing at a club where his band was playing. He had to get to a Mic to say to the entire audience...."JULIE! I did not know you could dance like that, girl!" :-) I was very reserved when I was wearing the Mental Health worker hat...I was at the bank, deposting yet ANOTHER check...watching the MONEY WILL FOLLOW part accumulate, and he lamented that things were worse than ever at Mental Health....and all he had were four years to retirement.

I sighed, smiled, and said, "Yeah, and then YOU can live the life of YOUR dreams, too!"

(I honestly did not mean it as a dig, I meant it as caring encouragement.)

Thanks for a great discussion, Gordon, I have read with interest everyone's posts as well. Good stuff!

With Purpose and Passion,

Julie Jordan Scott




Dare to Discover Your Passion, Decide to Live Your Destiny!