“Until you’ve lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was, or what freedom really is.” – Margaret Mitchell
After reading this quote, I asked myself what parts of my work did I choose to do for my joy and what parts to maintain “my reputation?” What did I say “yes” to because it just felt important to do?
I had to admit that there were lots of things I’ve done, do, and wish for that are more about my reputation than the impact. Sigh.
Then I read an article by Donna Zajonc, author of The Politics of Hope, explaining the difference between having a calling vs. feeding a craving. My work with leaders is a calling. Some of my own leadership responsibilities are a craving.
A calling is a chance to share our gifts and in return, we encourage others to reveal their own potential and greatness. A craving is driven by the fear of being seen as “not good enough” or we think we’re not getting enough attention or recognition for how good we are.
Callings help us to feel proud and grateful. Cravings leave us feeling resentful, judgmental and easily offended when someone doesn’t appreciate all that we do.
Conversely, when we are serving our calling, we don’t care as much about what other people think. We know we are making a difference on some scale. Some people won’t get or appreciate what we do. Ah well.
Sometimes, it’s hard to distinguish which we are serving. Sometimes they overlap. We can be seduced by the craving for attention and adoration that we get when we serve well. This is a deadly fall from grace. Yet I think all high-achievers have gone there.
Are you serving a calling or feeding a craving? If both, which gets more of your energy?
Would you be doing anything differently if you didn’t care what people thought?
Are you compromising your freedom and energy in any way to boost your reputation?
Are you encouraging others (children, friends, partners) to build a reputation before they discover their passion?
Think about this. And please post your ideas for others to see and respond.
“when we are serving our calling, we don’t care as much about what other people think. We know we are making a difference on some scale. Some people won’t get or appreciate what we do. Ah well.”
I think this is the ultimate litmus test to discover our REAL motivation for doing anything.
It’s not maverick disregard for the insight and wisdom of others; instead it’s true freedom from external expectations and limitations.
In the absence of those constraints, we shrug off the burden of greatness and ARE great because we’re follwing our true calling.
Great post!
Thanks, Lauren. I plan on “shrugging” off my burden of greatness as my new morning ritual. What an expansive way to start the day!
David Whyte defines a career as, “where you greatest gifts meet the world’s greatest needs.” Shifting to that concept has been a journey for a self described DRIVEN WOMEN.
I always know that I would be an engineer, successful buiness women and climb the corporate ladder.
What I didn’t expect was to be a wife, a Mother of 2 amazing children, and entrepreneur and by my definition a SLACKER.
How easy it is to forget that effort doesn’t always equate to accomplishment.
I have found that after leaving the corporate environment and being my own boss I don’t work 60 -70 hours a week anymore. What a relief, I can now focus on that idea of balance that I value so much. So what is that nagging voice that keeps telling me I am not doing enough?
My journey is the process of understanding that what strengths come easy for me are my gifts and the direction for my life. Just because it takes much less effort doesn’t mean that it is any less valuable.