Your Thing

What do you want to do every day until you die?

Do you want to write books? Teach kindergarten? Hike the Mongolian steppe? Do you want to lead bike tours? Collect Care Bears? Make short films in México City? Photograph steaming cups of espresso in the American midwest?

Seriously, what’s your thing? That one thing that, if you did it, would make you happier than you’ve ever been in your entire life?

I know what you’re doing—you’re editing thoughts before giving them attention. Maybe thinking, “No. I can’t do that, it won’t make any money.” Or, “Nope. That’ll require a move that my family’s not ready for.” Or possibly, “Nah. I’m good. I’ll wait until I retire to do the thing that brings out the best in me.”

Um. No. Stop it already.

Let’s try again: without editing, and while being brutally honest, what would you do?

Got something?

Now go do it.

That’s right. Go do it.

This doesn’t mean quit your job and assume scouring thrift stores is suddenly going make you a stable living. No way. Doesn’t mean you should put the family in a financial bind simply because you are following your passion.

That would be straight-up stupid.

What it does mean is that you should stop complaining about the way things could be. Stop playing the if only game.

Because no matter what your thing is, it can be monetized. Repeat that sentence over an over out loud. Like ten times, at least.

But simply deciding to follow a passion won’t automatically ensure it will make you any dough. Your thing will only be lucrative if you put in the time to invent off-beat ways to shine a light on it. By establishing yourself as the expert in the field and then owning it.

If doing this is too scary for you, you don’t want it bad enough. Or maybe it’s the wrong idea.

I know a woman who makes a living as an animal psychic. Gets your traumatized parakeet to open up and live a fuller life. I guarantee she didn’t go into this field thinking this is the next big thing.

Odds are, she was driven by a fire burning hot in her belly. And that was enough.

Reality is you’ll have to hustle harder than you ever have before. Your thing will require you to tap into your energetic reserves after coming home from the job that’s currently paying the bills.

But you’ll be living the life you want. The life you need. And that alone makes it worth it.

Just thinking about this gets you all fired up, doesn’t it? Gives you that tingling feeling, huh? That’s your intuition saying, “Do it. We got this.”

Imagine—a year from now you’ll be looking back on your previous life and job. You’re happier, you’re healthier. Your relationships are better. And holy crap you’re making ends meet working as a numismatist, a day care consultant, or running a mobile vegan bakery. Your dream has become your reality.

That’s when you quit your day job and never look back.

In 2012 my intuition told me to leave my comfortable corporate job. I put everything I had into what might otherwise be considered the shit I do after work: make art, write, teach yoga, help small businesses grow, etc.

I drained my savings and worried a ton about making rent and buying groceries. I had to create a beer budget. And that sucked.

But guess what? I was super happy. The happiest I had ever been, in fact. That made all the difference. Still does.

You need to be completely honest with yourself; be transparent about the unique things that make you happy; be vulnerable to life in general. And then you need to work your ass off.

Do this and the universe will take care of you. Your thing will become wildly attractive.

The world wants you to do what you love. So please stop wasting your time and make it happen.

Any excuse to hold-off is not good enough.

Tom Griffen is a highly sought after presenter and educator whose message and impact transcends industries. He’ll help you (and your team) alter your personal and business narrative in a way that adds joy, satisfaction, and overall success to your life. Contact him to make the change you’re ready to make.