"Please see me after the show today and let's grab a sandwich." I sunk in my seat and felt the fear creep into my bones. It was fairly common knowledge that when Chris invited you for a quick lunch, it was most likely an invitation to be fired. And the fact I was the only member of the morning show to be asked was a strong signal that the rumors may become a quick reality for me. I immediately started to go through my mind to try and figure out a reason, but I was driving myself nuts. So I just decided to finish the show and get over this part of my life so I could move on, but to what?
After the show, I marched into Chris's office feeling like the entire building was peeping around the corner with the Dead Man Walking idea in their mind. He was there with our Operations Manger, Ashby. He said before we grab that sandwich, let's chat here for a moment. All I could think was, "Great! It was so bad that he wants to get it over with even faster than I imagined!"
I sat down and Ashby closed the door. Chris didn't waste much time. He told me that the company was reconfiguring a few positions and it was decided that our morning show should only be two people moving forward, instead of three. I'm sure by now you can guess who the third person on the show happened to be! As I just sat there confirming the worst thoughts in my mind and preparing for the "You're Fired" moment, I was suddenly surprised by what he said next.
It turns out the station Promotion Manager was transferring to the Sales Department. Chris looked at me straight in the eye and said, "You have two options here. You could be unemployed. Or, and the one I hope you choose, is to become the new Promotion person for the station." I just kind of sat there for a minute because suddenly I had options. I had never even thought about promotions before, but suddenly it was looking very attractive.
The idea of having no job, no money and no idea of what to do next made this an easy decision. But, would it be an easy transition? I was a small player on a radio show where just about everything I did was following the orders of someone else. Now, I would be right in the center of attention for all of our sales and programming promotions. I would be making the decisions and coming up with ideas to boost our ratings and revenue. I had convinved myself that I wasn't a creative person, even though my entire purpose throughout my life had been to follow creative paths. My inner DJ was having a field day with this change and constantly reminded me that I should have taken the unemployment.
As I started in the new position, something amazing happened to me. I absolutely loved it! It was if the moons had aligned and the heavens were reading my thoughts to grant wishes! All the stress seemed to wisk away and I was totally in a zone in this new setting. But what had made such a big difference, and how did I happen to have this literally just fall in my lap?
Sometimes it's amazing how our strengths and purpose can find us. I am convinced this was the case for me. All the things that happen inside a Promotion Department play right into my passion, strengths and purpose. To devote myself completely to causes and people I love and believe in. It seems with all those other avenues before this one, I may have been putting the cart before the horse, because I wasn't clear on a purpose. No wonder it wasn't working out.
You have to remember that nothing precedes purpose. It's your foundation in your work, your money and your life. If you do not have your purpose defined, how can you be motivated or expect to go in the right direction? Your purpose tells you what you should do (i.e. Why do I exist?). It will also give you the power of living a life of your own design where you see the whole more clearly than the parts.?
We all have needs, abilities and desires, but until you align your purpose with each area, you will end up setting goals for each one individually and go in a general direction. You will remain unfulfilled and be like everyone else. Yes, most people are really great at achieving parts. Few are really Tuned In to a life of purpose.
Today you can’t just blend in, you must stand out! And standing for something distinctive is critical. When you answer question, Why do I exist? and live it. You will be clear for yourself and everyone else and start to set the right goals that meet your needs, allow you to do what you love to do, and what you’re really good at, and fulfill you like never before.
Take a moment today to define your purpose. Use a piece of paper or your computer and list your strengths, passions, needs, desires and abilities. Look for the common themes you see over a period of time. When you find your unique answer, it will resonate with you deeply. The words will jump off the page and you'll know in your gut this is it! Just don't wait, like I did, for it to show up someday and just fall in your lap. The sooner you know, the faster you start living a Tuned In life.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Nelson Mandela
"Just the chance to consume the variety of formats that are available by simply adjusting the frequency is a lot more relevant to everyday life than I ever would have philosophically submitted as an idea myself.' Jeff
Cut through the clutter of your work, your money and your life. Get Tuned In today and start to achieve your unlimited potential.? www.thetunein.com
Sammy Simpson is a marketing specialist, motivational speaker, aspiring author, consultant, and communication expert. He uses the concept of broadcasting and radio as a metaphor to have you look at yourself in a simple way to explain why things are the way they are. It's a connection through something you already know, but with an emphasis on you and the content you broadcast each day from a strange but strangely enlightening angle. The term broadcasting comes from an agricultural term, meaning 'scattering seeds'. Sammy's goal is to be a spark (seed) to ignite your creativity so you may cut through the clutter of your work, your money and your life to get Tuned In today and achieve your unlimited potential.