How Much is a Laughter Worth?
My favourite answer: "It depends"😕..
I'm not going to write a cliché text about purpose and passion. But I will write about daring to jump if you have that opportunity! As I am on this exploration journey I took some time to reflect on my first year as a “free bird”. A year of breaking loose from old habits and allowing myself space to search for professional passion and purpose again.
Embrace Change!
If you feel the need for a change, don't hesitate. You can always go back if you want or need to.
I have had opportunities to return to a 9-5 job during this past year but so far I have not felt that the benefits offered has been able to compare with what I have now. Feelings are dynamic though. Maybe next month I will feel different but then I will also be glad to have explored something different for a while.
It's not easy to be brave but sometimes I think we just need to do it. To jump. Some books that inspired & guided me; Atomic Habits, 4000 weeks, Big Magic and the book I read 25 years ago but still sits with me; the Secret.
Most people are generous to curious people.
I have the ambition to be brave and generous and I try to act like the people who inspires me. This year I had the courage (and time!) to reach out to some of those inspirational souls. And guess what; no one turned me down! Most people are good people. I've met so many new, inspirational, cool and generous people this year. Write an email and give it a try ❤️!
Money is important but..
..to me doesn't triumph over learning new things, meeting new people, and enjoying more laughter.
While focusing on learning over money, I have studied macroeconomics and found myself questioning the sustainability of this constant economic growth. Something I hardly had time to reflect over previously. Probably we should expect a more moderate return on our investments going forward, for the sake of our planet.
While figuring out how to slow down the global growth rate😎, I keep educating myself on personal finance as well.. I have learned to be smarter with money. Saving up some f-k off money (in cheap global index funds, automatically managed) is something I recommend everybody to do. There are good podcasts out there. Don’t listen to all the bankers, or at least know what they are incentivised on 🤑.
Focusing can be challenging when flying free
I am a "course queen" but this year things got a little bit out of hand 📚. Finally I have realized I can't master everything. I can now say “been-there-done-that” and close some courses where I will never be the ⭐️. Instead I will now nurture all the skills & talents I already have!
Creativity has multiple lives
My creativity died with stress. But luckily, I have realized it can be reborn through reflection and “slow time”. I have had so many great (business-)ideas this past year when out running, walking in the forest or just sitting down in silence. Amazing things happen when you let your brain work on its own, without constant stimuli.
(Re) discover Professional Joy:
Sometimes you need a break from things to realize what pleases you. I've done various things professionally and in the end I did not really know what tasks and projects that made me happy. With some space and reflection time I have come closer to an understanding of what really inspires me and what makes me thrive professionally.
Conclusion
To answer my initial question, the production cost for a smile is currently low for me, but it surely hasn't always been.
I'm now filling my professional life with things that inspires me. So far, I've learned that what makes me feel alive is connecting with people, serving the underserved, learning new things and contributing to better health in general. I've also learned the importance of focusing on doing a few things well, being part of a greater team, and understanding that while money isn't everything, it's still useful and will grow better when smartly invested.
I sincerely hope that this summer will allow you to reflect a little bit on the past year; what you want more of, and what you want less of. In small or big doses, whatever works for You and whatever makes those laughters come easily.
Wishing you all a vibrant “Vivante” Summer!
