Business vs. Calling
Have you ever thought about the difference between having an entrepreneurial business versus a professional practice or calling in which you’re self-employed? That there even could be a difference? Or a focus on money vs. helping people?
I have, because this topic surfaced not long ago in a Transformational Voice® Apprenticeship seminar.
I was an employee in American corporate culture for many years.
Some was good, some not so good.
Here’s an example of good when I worked in the workers’ compensation claims industry. Fellow claims adjusters often asked me for help writing their IME (Independent Medical Evaluation) letters. I reached out to my supervisor, because so many people were asking me for help with their writing. She asked if I’d ever thought about teaching a writing class. I hadn’t. She connected me with the training & development manager and I developed a writing class that helped people become better writers. I rehearsed and rehearsed before first teaching the class but was still shaking in my pumps that first class. Soon, it became second nature and one of my favorite things to do. Eventually I became the first Disabling Claims Unit Mentor.
Here’s an example of not so good. I worked for a different insurance company where we all shook in our shoes every time the manager in Sacramento called or visited. She was a bully/Devil Wears Prada type manager (must have been dealing with a lot of fear) being all nice on the outside while micro-managing us down to the hairs on our toes. Don’t tell anyone, but we had one of those noise buttons in the office – it was the voice of the Wicked Witch of the West. When you pressed the button down, you heard that evil cackle, then I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!
It helped relieve tension in the office.
Eventually, everyone I worked with in that office quit, except for one young woman who was promoted to a supervisory position and moved to Phoenix, so she wasn’t in the office anymore either.
I resigned from my last corporate job, a great one with an excellent manager, to follow my heart, and my calling. And I left a very good salary behind.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about myself since graduating from college, it’s that I’m not afraid of taking a risk. And that I will always be provided for if I follow my heart and listen closely to my inner promptings.
Money is just a tool. A great tool. It can be used for great good, or no good at all. Greed and the desire for power; that’s something different. Money is neutral.
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. -Jimi Hendrix
It’s all about the mindset. When fear comes calling – you’re afraid you won’t have enough money, make enough money, or lose what money you have – that fear moves you away from your true nature, which is to be in service to the God-given talents you were given to help others in this world.
You can have a calling, be self-employed in that profession, and be financially successful as an entrepreneur. Perhaps you know you haven’t reached your income potential yet and can do better so you can do more good in the world. It’s all in the mindset.
You can work for a company wherein you feel you’re making a positive difference in the world. It’s all in the mindset.
Now, will you play with me for a bit? Imagine you unexpectedly receive a check for two million dollars in the mail tomorrow.
What would you do with it?
I would honestly love to give more to charities I believe in; for example: Organizations that help bring clean drinking water to people who don’t have it and help educate and train girls in areas of the world where women don’t have rights; Shelters that help homeless animals find loving homes; Non-profit theatre companies that bring affordable theatre to our local communities. Offer more free vocal training than I already am to people who need it. Invest more. I’d like a better computer, a trip to Niagara Falls (a girlfriend in Canada just moved there), a red winter coat, and hand-made pottery from a local artisan.
Gosh, that’s just off the top of my head. What if I wanted to partner with a colleague and start a theatre production company and provide super affordable vocal training, bring in dance teachers, volunteer with some awesome charity to bring free music classes to kids who don’t have them…
The possibilities for doing good and being of service are limitless once you allow your mind to run free. As big as I can dream, two million dollars could go quickly, and I don’t mean on a shopping spree in Manhattan.
How big can you dream if you put on your healthiest (you successful while being in service to others) mindset? Let us know on the blog!
This vocal practice helps people in so many areas of their lives. Bless you for doing this work. -Dr. Scott A, DC
To Your Voice,
Laura
Lake Oswego’s Transformational Voice® Teacher (Transformational Voice® is a registered trademark of Transformational Voice® Training Institute, LLC, and Linda Brice.)