Authentic Power: Folllowing career dreams takes tough decisions

by Marlene Chism

Business communicator

sbj@sbj.net

Marlene Chism, president of ICARE Presentations in Springfield, works with companies that want to build strong business relationships and with individuals who want to be better communicators.

Midlife is a time when people search for life purpose. Some are unhappy with their career choices, others feel that it's too late, and many feel hopeless and ask the question, "Is this all there is?" Your life changes when you start living from your purpose and passion.

It's hard to believe that less than six years ago I was working in a factory. I spent over 20 years doing blue-collar work wishing for something more while realizing that time was running out.

Throughout my time at Kraft, my search resulted in several activities: getting a cosmetology license, competing nationally in bodybuilding, taking dance lessons and attending college. Life was a jigsaw puzzle, and none of the pieces fit together. This is the first life tragedy: Knowing that you want something else, without being able to define it.

The second tragedy is when you know what you want but don't believe it is possible. The third tragedy is when you know what you want, you believe it's possible, but your commitment and faith is tested in your willingness to do what it takes.

It was Marsha, a fellow bodybuilder, who helped me out of the first life tragedy. Marsha asked me an important question: "What would you do if there were no limits?"

After some hesitation I said, "I would be a dancer or a choreographer."

She said, "That's not going to happen, what's your second choice?"

"To be a professional speaker and business trainer!" I replied.

Once you verbalize what you want, you pass into the second tragedy: You know what you want but don't believe it's possible. I stayed in the second tragedy for more than two years as I pondered the probability of a factory worker becoming a professional speaker. During this time I learned something that is essential to my work in helping others reach their potential: In order to get past the second tragedy, you have to develop a strong belief that what you want is possible. This means you must take full responsibility for every aspect of your life. Responsibility and faith go hand in hand.

Faith is taking action toward a goal without getting a guarantee. In other words, your dream is not visible yet you work toward it until it starts to materialize. For example, when I was competing in bodybuilding, I was "faithful" in working out consistently and I rarely cheated on my diet. As I took action, I noticed more muscle and less fat. I learned to trust that I would do what it takes to be satisfied the day of competition. The same principles work in life.

While still at the factory, I took a leap of faith. That action was to seek an internship with a national speaker. I was lucky to meet Cal LeMon, who also writes for Springfield Business Journal, and he agreed to mentor me. The dream seemed more possible; however, I entered into the third tragedy: the test of commitment.

When you enter into the third tragedy, the test of your commitment boils down to what you are willing to do to make the dream a reality. For me, that meant quitting my full-time job.

The lesson in the third tragedy is about choice. Sometimes you have to give up one thing to get another. I had to give up a steady paycheck, a 401(k) and a sense of security. I changed my resignation date three times.

If you are on that journey and feel fragmented, take heart eventually the puzzle pieces will fit together. For me, those pieces include factory worker, state titleholder in competitive bodybuilding, professional speaker, columnist and author. Oh, by the way Marsha was mistaken. I've found a way to incorporate tap-dancing in the motivational speeches.

Count yourself lucky if you have escaped the first tragedy. I can help you believe and encourage you to take action, but it is still up to you to answer the first question, "What do you want?"