If you’re like me, you’re thinking “sometimes I’m a pro… and most of the time I’m an amateur.” When I write it out, here’s what it looks like for me.
I ask the question, “Are you living as an amateur or a pro?”, not because I believe that you need to be earning a living by your calling. I ask because the world needs you and your gifts.
What gets in the way is our shadows.
Shadow is a concept brought forth by Carl Jung, meaning beliefs about ourselves that we hide, repress, and deny. It’s not just negative beliefs that can be in shadow, though through my work with the ManKind Project, I know that the negative beliefs we hold about ourselves come to mind most readily.
Shadow by another name.
In the War of Art, Steven Pressfield calls what gets in the way Resistance. The resistance can drive us into “safe” careers, addiction, and avoidance. The amateur lives a life dominated by fear.
What shadows are your shadows?
Make a list.
What shadows do you know about?
How does the resistance show up for you?
Turning Pro
With your shadows in front of you, you have a choice. Turn pro or stay an amateur.
Turning pro is a choice. Your shadows will not disappear. You will still be afraid. However, life gets simple. Simple – not easy. For me it looks like:
- Write every day.
- Make good agreements and keep them.
- Walk 10,000 – 15,000 steps a day. Eat less than 25g of sugar a day. Do strength and cardio workout twice a week each. Drink alcohol moderately.
- Lead at work, in MKP, and at home as a servant leader.
- Connect authentically, allowing myself to be vulnerable.
Hit reply. What does being a pro look like for you?
Remember your brilliance may also be in shadow. Perhaps buried even deeper than your negative beliefs. Consider Marianne Williamson’s words.
Our Deepest Fear
By Marianne Williamson
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, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small
Does not 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 were 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’re liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
Live a Bold & Authentic Life
Matt
