Embracing Life's Twists: Unlocking Your Unique Calling Through Unexpected Journeys inspired by Jeff Goins' "The Art of Work.

What if your deepest calling isn't a clear, singular path, but a journey shaped by your life's defining moments? Join us as we promise to unravel the surprising truths about discovering your purpose, inspired by Jeff Goins' "The Art of Work." Through captivating stories of unexpected turns and transformations, like Garrett Rushmiller's triumph over adversity and Ginny Fang's journey from sewing to success, we challenge the conventional wisdom that callings are straightforward or exclusive. Reflect on your own experiences as we explore the concept of "accidental apprenticeships," where seemingly unrelated events reveal hidden passions and strengths.

Listen to the inspiring persistence of Stephanie, an American Idol hopeful who refused to give up, and learn how resilience, deliberate practice, and embracing uncertainty can unlock your true potential. We'll tell you about the bold moves of Hilary Scott, Colby Caillat, and the Carlsons, who dared to venture beyond secure careers to forge new paths. Discover the value of "pivot points" in shaping a fulfilling life, and hear about Charles Handy's "portfolio life" concept, where diverse activities lead to a more authentic existence. Together, we'll explore how each twist and turn in your life can bring you closer to a calling that's uniquely yours.

Chapters

• 0:00 Exploring Your Deepest Calling
• 6:58 Unleashing Your Unique Calling

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to our deep dive. We're going to be uncovering some surprising insights about you know, finding your calling. Yes, we're going way deeper than all those you know. Like the typical, follow your passion, advice Right. We're using the art of work by Jeff Goins as our guide for this one.

Speaker 2: 0:17

Awesome.

Speaker 1: 0:18

We're going to be exploring those unexpected parts of the journey.

Speaker 2: 0:21

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 0:21

Like setbacks and you know those skills we just kind of pick up by accident along the way and yeah, even you know when things get a little bit tough.

Speaker 2: 0:29

Yeah, you know, it's so interesting how I think we tend to think about a calling as like this straight, clear path, just like illuminated by passion. Yeah, but in reality it's rarely that neat and tidy.

Speaker 1: 0:41

I see it, life throws all those curveballs and detours and sometimes sends us on those adventures that we like.

Speaker 2: 0:49

Oh yeah.

Speaker 1: 0:50

Never expected Totally. One of the stories that really struck me from the book is about Garrett Rushmiller.

Speaker 2: 0:55

Okay.

Speaker 1: 0:55

So imagine this You're 10 years old. You're a promising young golfer.

Speaker 2: 1:00

Wow.

Speaker 1: 1:00

And suddenly you're diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Speaker 2: 1:02

Oh, my God.

Speaker 1: 1:03

That's exactly what happened to Garrett.

Speaker 2: 1:05

Wow.

Speaker 1: 1:05

Now. The treatment saved his life, but it left him blind.

Speaker 2: 1:09

Oh, wow.

Speaker 1: 1:10

And with limited mobility. That's odd. It's a parent's worst nightmare.

Speaker 2: 1:13

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 1:14

But here's where the story takes this really powerful turn.

Speaker 2: 1:18

Okay.

Speaker 1: 1:18

Instead of, you know, being consumed by what could have been Garrett and his father, Eric.

Speaker 2: 1:24

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 1:24

They chose to focus on what they could do.

Speaker 2: 1:28

I love that.

Speaker 1: 1:29

They turned this tragedy into a springboard. Wow, they started competing in triathlons together. Yeah, with Eric guiding Garrett every step of the way.

Speaker 2: 1:38

That's incredible.

Speaker 1: 1:40

Yeah, and so Garrett's story isn't just about like overcoming obstacles.

Speaker 2: 1:45

Right.

Speaker 1: 1:45

It actually reveals this powerful truth about callings. Sometimes they emerge from our limitations.

Speaker 2: 1:51

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 1:51

They push us to tap into these strengths that we didn't even know we had.

Speaker 2: 1:55

Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 1:56

So think about it for a second.

Speaker 2: 1:57

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 1:58

What challenges in your life might be nudging you toward a hidden strength or an undiscovered passion?

Speaker 2: 2:05

I love that.

Speaker 1: 2:06

That's a question worth pondering.

Speaker 2: 2:07

It is.

Speaker 1: 2:08

And you know it gets me thinking about another common myth about callings.

Speaker 2: 2:11

Okay.

Speaker 1: 2:12

It's how people sometimes act, like they're reserved for this, like select few.

Speaker 2: 2:19

Right.

Speaker 1: 2:20

Like this exclusive club that you have to be invited to.

Speaker 2: 2:22

Yeah, yeah, the idea that callings are only for the chosen one Right Exactly. Yeah.

Speaker 1: 2:26

But Goins challenges this directly.

Speaker 2: 2:29

Good.

Speaker 1: 2:30

He argues that everyone has a calling. Yeah, it's just often hidden.

Speaker 2: 2:33

Right.

Speaker 1: 2:34

Beneath these layers of expectations and self-doubt, or even just the busyness of everyday life.

Speaker 2: 2:38

Yeah, it just gets buried.

Speaker 1: 2:40

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 2:49

He compares it to a seed Okay, buried within us, just waiting for the right conditions to sprout.

Speaker 1: 2:51

I like that analogy, yeah. So how do we unearth that seed?

Speaker 2: 2:52

Yeah, how do we unearth that seed? It starts with paying attention to our lives. Yes, tuning into those subtle signals, those recurring themes, those things that spark your curiosity, you know the things that make you feel truly alive.

Speaker 1: 3:04

That's where Larry Elliott's story comes in.

Speaker 2: 3:06

Oh, okay.

Speaker 1: 3:07

Larry was a successful businessman living what looked like the perfect life on the outside.

Speaker 2: 3:11

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 1: 3:12

But have you ever felt that feeling like when something's missing, like there's this deeper purpose that you haven't quite found yet?

Speaker 2: 3:20

Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 3:21

That's exactly how Larry felt.

Speaker 2: 3:23

Wow.

Speaker 1: 3:24

And then he faced a life-threatening surgery.

Speaker 2: 3:26

Oh, wow.

Speaker 1: 3:26

And this brush with mortality. It forced Larry to confront what truly mattered to him.

Speaker 2: 3:33

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 3:34

He wrote these heartfelt letters to his children, just pouring out his love, highlighting their unique qualities. And in that act of expressing love, their unique qualities, and in that act of expressing love, something shifted within him. It wasn't like this dramatic epiphany, but it was this quiet, deep realization that emerged from listening to his heart and Larry's story. It teaches us to pay attention to those defining moments in our lives, the ones that shake us awake.

Speaker 2: 4:02

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 4:03

And reveal what truly matters. So think about the experiences that have shaped you. What are they trying to tell you about your own path?

Speaker 2: 4:09

That's a good question.

Speaker 1: 4:13

Sometimes those whispers, they come through experiences that seem totally unrelated to our ultimate calling Totally. And that's where accidental apprenticeships come into play. It's about recognizing the value in those detours.

Speaker 2: 4:23

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 4:24

The skills we pick up along the way.

Speaker 2: 4:26

Right.

Speaker 1: 4:26

Even if they seem random at the time, it's like Goings says, you can't connect the dots.

Speaker 2: 4:30

looking forward, only looking backwards, exactly.

Speaker 1: 4:33

Take Ginny Fang's story, for instance.

Speaker 2: 4:35

Okay.

Speaker 1: 4:36

She became a single mother at 23. Wow, and found solace in sewing.

Speaker 2: 4:41

Hmm.

Speaker 1: 4:42

Now you might be wondering what does sewing have to do with finding your calling?

Speaker 2: 4:45

Yeah, seems a little random, Right.

Speaker 1: 4:47

Okay, well for Ginny it became the foundation for a successful fashion business. Wow, I love that she started sewing to cope and create.

Speaker 2: 4:54

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 4:55

But it unexpectedly blossomed into a career.

Speaker 2: 4:58

That's amazing.

Speaker 1: 4:59

And you know this idea of accidental apprenticeships.

Speaker 2: 5:02

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 5:03

It doesn't just apply to creative feel. You know this idea of accidental apprenticeships. Yeah, it doesn't just apply to creative field, right, remember when Steve Jobs dropped out of college but kept auditing classes? Oh yeah, including that one on calligraphy.

Speaker 2: 5:10

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 5:11

Years later, jobs reflected on how that seemingly random class Right Deeply influenced Apple's design aesthetic. Interesting Like. If he hadn't taken that calligraphy class, our computers might not have the beautiful typography Wow that we take for granted today.

Speaker 2: 5:34

It's like those little things that you don't think are going to amount to anything, right, that really end up shaping things in a big way.

Speaker 1: 5:37

Exactly, so think about the skills you've picked up accidentally, what experiences, hobbies or like random bits of knowledge might actually be relevant to your calling.

Speaker 2: 5:49

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 5:49

Even if you can't see the connection just yet.

Speaker 2: 5:51

It's all about embracing the unexpected, trusting that those seemingly insignificant moments can hold clues to your purpose.

Speaker 1: 5:58

Absolutely, but remember your calling.

Speaker 2: 6:00

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 6:01

It isn't always going to be easy or comfortable.

Speaker 2: 6:03

Right.

Speaker 1: 6:04

Sometimes it requires a bit of grit, a willingness to push through challenges.

Speaker 2: 6:08

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 6:09

And that's where the idea of painful practice comes in.

Speaker 2: 6:13

Ooh, I like that.

Speaker 1: 6:14

That's what we're going to be diving into next.

Speaker 2: 6:16

Awesome, can't wait.

Speaker 1: 6:17

Stay with us.

Speaker 2: 6:20

All right, so we're diving into this idea of painful practice.

Speaker 1: 6:22

Yes.

Speaker 2: 6:23

It might seem a little counterintuitive, especially when we're told to just follow our passion, right. But what if that passion requires you to push through some discomfort, to embrace those moments when you kind of just want to give up?

Speaker 1: 6:37

That's what I find so intriguing about this whole idea.

Speaker 2: 6:39

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 6:40

It really challenges the notion that following your calling should always be easy and enjoyable. Sometimes it takes grit a willingness to persevere even when things get tough.

Speaker 2: 6:51

Absolutely, and Goines introduces this concept with the story of Stephanie Fisher.

Speaker 1: 6:58

Okay.

Speaker 2: 6:58

She was an American Idol hopeful who auditioned seven times. Seven times, yes, wow, you have to admire her persistence.

Speaker 1: 7:01

Okay, she was an American Idol hopeful who auditioned seven times Seven times yeah. Wow, you have to admire her persistence.

Speaker 2: 7:05

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 7:06

Even if the judges weren't exactly impressed.

Speaker 2: 7:08

Yeah, I mean. Simon Cowell even told her honestly you can't sing Sweetheart, that's gotta hurt.

Speaker 1: 7:12

Yeah, you'd think that would be enough to discourage anyone.

Speaker 2: 7:15

Right.

Speaker 1: 7:16

But Stephanie kept coming back Wow.

Speaker 2: 7:22

Con kept coming back, wow, convinced that American Idol was like her path to stardom so. Stephanie's story raises an important question. Okay, is it just? About talent, or is there something more to achieving success?

Speaker 1: 7:30

Right.

Speaker 2: 7:31

Goins compares her experience to you know the stories of successful musicians who were initially rejected by the show. Interesting, like Hilary Scott from Lady Antebellum, oh, wow yeah. And Colby Coyote.

Speaker 1: 7:44

Both of them.

Speaker 2: 7:45

Yeah, they were both told they weren't good enough. Wow. Yet they went on to have these incredible careers in music.

Speaker 1: 7:51

So what sets them apart from someone like Stephanie?

Speaker 2: 7:54

That's the question. Right, Right and Goins suggests that true mastery requires more than just passion. Okay suggests that true mastery requires more than just passion.

Speaker 1: 8:05

It demands what he calls deliberate practice.

Speaker 2: 8:06

Okay, what does that mean? It's a focused and intentional effort to push yourself beyond your comfort zone.

Speaker 1: 8:10

So it's not just about enjoying the activity.

Speaker 2: 8:13

Right.

Speaker 1: 8:13

It's about actively seeking ways to improve, yeah, even if it means, you know, facing your weaknesses head on.

Speaker 2: 8:19

Exactly, and he suggests breaking down the skill you want to develop into smaller components.

Speaker 1: 8:24

Okay.

Speaker 2: 8:25

Setting specific goals for improvement and constantly seeking feedback.

Speaker 1: 8:29

So it's like you know, it's about pushing yourself beyond what feels comfortable.

Speaker 2: 8:34

Yes.

Speaker 1: 8:35

Knowing that growth happens outside of that comfort zone.

Speaker 2: 8:38

Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 8:38

That was so powerful.

Speaker 2: 8:39

So think about it.

Speaker 1: 8:40

Okay.

Speaker 2: 8:41

Is there something you love enough to do, even when it's hard, even when you face setbacks, even when the results aren't immediate? Yeah, that willingness to persist through those painful practice moments might be what unlocks your potential.

Speaker 1: 8:56

I love that.

Speaker 2: 8:57

So you know, so far we've explored the power of reframing setbacks.

Speaker 1: 9:01

Yes.

Speaker 2: 9:01

Listening to our lives, embracing those accidental apprenticeships, yes, and even facing those, you know, painful practice moments head on.

Speaker 1: 9:09

Right.

Speaker 2: 9:10

But how do we actually take action?

Speaker 1: 9:12

Yeah, how do we move from like preparation to actually building a life that's aligned with our calling?

Speaker 2: 9:18

That's the big question right.

Speaker 1: 9:19

Yeah, it's like we've gathered all the ingredients, but we haven't actually started cooking yet.

Speaker 2: 9:23

It's a great analogy.

Speaker 1: 9:25

Goins talks about the importance of building bridges. Okay, Taking those first steps even when the path isn't crystal clear.

Speaker 2: 9:33

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 9:36

And he shares this incredible story of Ben and Christy Carlson.

Speaker 2: 9:38

Okay.

Speaker 1: 9:39

They left stable careers, yeah to. And Christy Carlson Okay, they left stable careers to start a coffee company in Burundi.

Speaker 2: 9:44

Burundi.

Speaker 1: 9:45

Which is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Speaker 2: 9:47

Wow. So they were driven by a desire to make a difference.

Speaker 1: 9:51

Yeah, they wanted to use their skills and their passion to create something meaningful.

Speaker 2: 9:55

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 9:56

Not just for themselves, but for, like, an entire community.

Speaker 2: 9:59

I love that. And here's the thing they didn't have all the answers.

Speaker 1: 10:02

Right, they didn't have like this perfect plan link out.

Speaker 2: 10:05

They took a leap of faith.

Speaker 1: 10:06

Wow.

Speaker 2: 10:06

Trusting that they would figure things out as they went along.

Speaker 1: 10:09

That takes a lot of courage.

Speaker 2: 10:11

It does.

Speaker 1: 10:11

To embrace that uncertainty. Yeah, knowing that flexibility and adaptability would be so crucial to their success. So their story reminds us that sometimes the most fulfilling paths are the ones that we create, not the ones that are just like laid out for us.

Speaker 2: 10:26

Right. It's about finding the courage to say I don't know exactly where this will lead, but I'm taking that next step.

Speaker 1: 10:33

That's a powerful statement.

Speaker 2: 10:35

It is.

Speaker 1: 10:36

But what about those of us who, you know, feel like we've already taken a few steps?

Speaker 2: 10:39

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 10:40

Maybe you've made some wrong turns.

Speaker 2: 10:41

Goines offers this concept of pivot points for those situations. Okay, and he introduces us to Matt McWilliams, whose career journey was anything but linear. He went from golf instructor to online marketer, to entrepreneur, to consultant, constantly adapting and evolving along the way.

Speaker 1: 10:59

So it sounds like each experience, even the ones that might have felt like failures at the time, ultimately contributed to his growth.

Speaker 2: 11:07

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 11:08

And led him closer to where he was meant to be.

Speaker 2: 11:10

Exactly. It's like those detours were actually redirections Interesting A chance to hone his skills, gain new experiences and ultimately refine his understanding of what he was meant to do.

Speaker 1: 11:21

It's like life is saying, hey, this isn't quite it, but keep exploring, keep learning, keep refining your path.

Speaker 2: 11:28

I love that.

Speaker 1: 11:29

So, with all these insights in mind, how do we start piecing together a life that feels authentic and fulfilling, a life that truly reflects our unique calling?

Speaker 2: 11:40

One of the most practical and liberating takeaways from the art of work is Charles Handy's concept of the portfolio life. Portfolio life, yeah, and it's a way of looking at work that breaks free from that traditional idea of a single job defining your entire identity.

Speaker 1: 11:57

So, instead of being tied to one single job title, you're building this diverse collection of activities that bring you purpose and meaning. It's like creating your ideal work day Right. You're building this diverse collection of activities that bring you purpose and meaning.

Speaker 2: 12:06

It's like creating your ideal work day.

Speaker 1: 12:08

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 12:08

But instead of just tasks, you're choosing activities that bring you energy and purpose.

Speaker 1: 12:13

I love that.

Speaker 2: 12:13

And Handy breaks down the portfolio life into five categories.

Speaker 1: 12:17

OK, let's hear it.

Speaker 2: 12:18

So there's fee work, which is your typical freelance or contract work.

Speaker 1: 12:23

OK, so trading time for money.

Speaker 2: 12:25

Exactly. Then there's salary work, that's your traditional nine to five job.

Speaker 1: 12:30

Got it.

Speaker 2: 12:30

Then we move into the unpaid but equally valuable work.

Speaker 1: 12:34

Okay, I like that.

Speaker 2: 12:36

So homework includes those essential tasks like taking care of family or managing your household.

Speaker 1: 12:42

Right the things that we have to do.

Speaker 2: 12:43

Exactly. Then there's study work.

Speaker 1: 12:45

Okay.

Speaker 2: 12:45

Which is about continuous learning and skill development.

Speaker 1: 12:48

So like reading books, taking courses or just, you know, pursuing your curiosity.

Speaker 2: 12:53

Exactly. And finally there's gift work.

Speaker 1: 12:55

Okay, gift work.

Speaker 2: 12:56

Which includes volunteering, mentoring or just using your skills and talents to help others.

Speaker 1: 13:01

I love that.

Speaker 2: 13:02

It expands our definition of work to include all the different ways we contribute and create value in the world.

Speaker 1: 13:09

It's about recognizing that your calling can express itself in so many different ways.

Speaker 2: 13:13

Yes, both paid and unpaid, absolutely.

Speaker 1: 13:15

And sometimes the most fulfilling work is the work we do simply because it brings us joy and allows us to make a positive impact.

Speaker 2: 13:24

Absolutely. But Goines doesn't stop there. He challenges us to think beyond ourselves, to consider the legacy we want to leave behind.

Speaker 1: 13:31

Now, that's a question worth exploring.

Speaker 2: 13:33

It is a big one.

Speaker 1: 13:34

So we're back and I think this idea of legacy, it can feel a bit intimidating, yeah Right, like something that only famous people need to worry about, right?

Speaker 2: 13:44

We tend to associate legacy with, like these, grand accomplishments, you know. Yeah, like making some groundbreaking discovery or writing a best-selling novel, but Goins encourages us to embrace a more personal, a more grounded understanding of legacy.

Speaker 1: 14:00

Okay, I like that.

Speaker 2: 14:01

He shares a story about Sam, a farmer in Uganda, and despite living in poverty, sam works tirelessly to provide for his family and build a better future for his children.

Speaker 1: 14:13

And it's a story that I think really challenges our preconceived notions Totally About wealth and success.

Speaker 2: 14:18

Yeah, because Sam's story reminds us that legacy isn't about material possessions.

Speaker 1: 14:23

Right.

Speaker 2: 14:24

It's about the impact we have on the lives of those around us.

Speaker 1: 14:27

It's about you know the values we embody, the love we share, the contributions we make to our families, our communities in the world.

Speaker 2: 14:34

Absolutely. It's about those everyday acts of kindness you know, those moments of connection, those ways in which we make the world a little bit brighter.

Speaker 1: 14:41

Yeah, those are the things that truly matter.

Speaker 2: 14:43

Yes, and that's something that each of us can cultivate, regardless of our circumstances.

Speaker 1: 14:48

I love that it shifts the focus from you know, achieving greatness to embodying goodness.

Speaker 2: 14:54

Yes, and Goins also emphasizes that legacy isn't just about what we do, but what we pass on.

Speaker 1: 15:01

So like mentoring.

Speaker 2: 15:02

Yes, mentoring. Mentoring Sharing our knowledge, our skills, our experiences with others.

Speaker 1: 15:08

Recognizing that our life's work. It isn't meant to be a solo performance.

Speaker 2: 15:12

Exactly, and he uses the example of Mr Holland.

Speaker 1: 15:15

Oh yeah, from Mr Holland's opus.

Speaker 2: 15:17

Yeah, the music teacher.

Speaker 1: 15:18

Yes.

Speaker 2: 15:19

Remember how he initially dreamt of composing this grand symphony, but his life took an unexpected turn when he became a high school music teacher.

Speaker 1: 15:27

Yeah, at first he felt like a failure Right, like he'd abandoned his true calling.

Speaker 2: 15:31

But at his retirement party he realizes that he had touched the lives of countless students, inspiring so many to pursue music and make it their life's work.

Speaker 1: 15:41

That scene gets me every time.

Speaker 2: 15:43

Me too.

Speaker 1: 15:44

It's so powerful. It really is that reminder that our greatest impact often comes from those seemingly small everyday acts yes, Of teaching, guiding and encouraging others?

Speaker 2: 15:55

It's about leaving that ripple effect.

Speaker 1: 15:57

And that's a legacy that I think we can all create. We can, Whether it's within our families, our workplaces, our communities or even online.

Speaker 2: 16:05

It's about finding those ways to share our passions and our knowledge.

Speaker 1: 16:09

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 16:09

To help others discover their own potential.

Speaker 1: 16:12

It's about recognizing that we all have something valuable to offer, yes, something that can make a difference in the lives of others.

Speaker 2: 16:18

And so, as we wrap up this deep dive into the art of work, yes, let's remember those key takeaways. Okay, callings are for everyone. The path is rarely linear, and embracing the unexpected is so crucial I think that's one of the biggest things.

Speaker 1: 16:34

It is, but I think, the most important takeaway.

Speaker 2: 16:36

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 16:37

Is this.

Speaker 2: 16:38

What is it?

Speaker 1: 16:39

Your life's work isn't meant to be a solo performance.

Speaker 2: 16:42

That's good.

Speaker 1: 16:43

It's about connection, collaboration and contribution.

Speaker 2: 16:47

I like that.

Speaker 1: 16:48

Think about it. Who are you collaborating with?

Speaker 2: 16:50

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 16:51

How can you pass on your knowledge, your skills, your passions to make a lasting impact? It might be closer than you think.

Speaker 2: 16:58

It probably is.

Speaker 1: 16:59

Maybe it's mentoring a colleague.

Speaker 2: 17:01

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 17:01

Volunteering in your community or simply sharing your unique talents with the world.

Speaker 2: 17:06

The possibilities are endless.

Speaker 1: 17:07

They are.

Speaker 2: 17:08

So keep exploring, keep learning, keep growing and remember your calling is a journey, not a destination. Love it, and it's a journey best shared.

Speaker 1: 17:19

Thank you for joining us on this deep dive.

Speaker 2: 17:21

Yes, thank you.

Speaker 1: 17:22

We hope it sparked some new ideas and inspired you to continue exploring your own unique path.

Speaker 2: 17:27

Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 17:28

Until next time, keep diving deep.