What’s Your POV?
What’s a movie that you loved as a teen – something that today feels nostalgic and brings you right back to the memory of laughing over bowls of popcorn with your friends?
For me, it’s Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Ah, Ferris…that precocious, handsome, wiser-than-his-years high schooler who bravely and brilliantly pulls off the best hooky day ever.
In one iconic scene, Ferris looks directly at us and opines:
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
At first blush, it sounds like a slick, clever quote for your high school yearbook. But in reality, Ferris has a point.
Everyone says “adulting” is hard.
But have you ever stopped to ask: What’s so hard about it, exactly?
I was on Zoom with a new coaching client last week and finally – FINALLY! – it hit me:
Being an adult means having a point of view.
What YOU want for yourself.
What YOU find fulfilling and important.
How YOU want to spend your money and your time.
This might sound obvious. But for those of us who grew up looking outside of ourselves – to our parents, friends, teachers, and even our culture – for definitions of success, having a point of view is actually not something we have a lot of practice with.
So what’s Ferris got to do with this?
If being an adult is about developing our point of view, then let’s start right now.
Ferris had a point of view: Make the most of high school before it’s all over. And boy, did he put that POV into action.
Maybe you’re feeling unfulfilled at work. Maybe you’d like to earn more money, or start a family, or pursue a non-traditional career path.
Wherever you are, whatever it is, let’s be like Ferris:
Pick your head up, take a look around, and decide that it’s time to put yourself in the driver’s seat of your life.
Don’t let your life pass you by. Don’t miss out on creating the life you want.
No one can do this for you. And that’s actually a good thing.
Try This Out
Of course, this begs the question:
How do I know what I want for my life?
If there were a singular answer, trust me: I’d tell you! Instead, here are three clues I want you to consider:
Your Values: When we’re in harmony with our environment and our relationships, we feel authentic and in flow. We get lost in time, can focus for hours, and feel alive. When was the last time you felt fully engrossed in a project, hobby, conversation or activity? What if you could design your life around that feeling? (Hint: you can)
Peak Experiences: Think about the last time you accomplished something big, when you figuratively (or literally) climbed a mountain and you felt on top of the world. What was meaningful about that experience? What does that story tell you about what you want to create or achieve in your life?
Your Legacy: It’s cliche, perhaps, but powerful: if you imagine yourself at the end of your life, reflecting on decades of living, what do you hope you’ll have to say about the legacy you’re leaving? What do you wish you’ll have tried, said, experienced or created? Use these answers to inform your point of view for your future.
So, what’s your point of view? Like Ferris, what are you ready to claim as yours – and go out and make happen?
What To Do Next
Defining my authentic point of view for my life has been an ongoing journey for me.
And let’s be honest: I’m still practicing!
If that also feels true for you, take a look at my on-demand workshop, “From Self-Doubt to Self-Trust: 4 Steps to Your Authentic Self”.
In just 45 minutes, you’ll learn and practice my signature framework for designing your next career and life chapter based on what’s authentic and true for YOU. And you’ll leave the session feeling clearer, more confident, and more prepared to put your point of view into action.
Because what I’m after – what I want more than anything – is to see you get clear on your point of view for YOUR most authentic life…
…and then go out and make it happen.
Onward,
