My Calling, Vision, and Values: Breaking the Habit of NOT Being Myself

4 Minute Read

Summary: I had to take a serious look at my values and decide to live a life based on them. These values now guide my business, life, and decisions, and they were chosen by me, based on deep reflection, introspection, and elevated consciousness. In this article I share a bit of vulnerability to help you understand my calling, vision, and values.

I believe in creating a better world, one that is more conscious and connected. That is why I strive to lead and inspire others to honor their values. This is the foundation from which I create and share my work. My goal is to make an impact in a world where people are aware of their own values and strive to live and lead with purpose. I believe that this kind of awareness and purposeful decision-making will contribute to a more conscious and connected world, one where we can all be better off, and leave this place just a little bit better than we received it.

The Answering to My Calling

It was 9 o’clock in the morning and I had already had 3 back to back online sessions of teaching German for the day. There were 3 more waiting for me later that evening, which all required at least 45 mins of prep beforehand. The only space in my calendar included a 1 hour break for some food and my evening gym session.

"Hectic was an understatement for the theme of my life."

I thought having a gym routine and a social life meant that I had balance. In my mind, this was the dream right? 

You would rather work 18 hrs on your business per day than 9 to 5 on someone else’s. Being self-employed, getting to travel to conferences and having a calendar full of clients. As long as I could bare the title of being an entrepreneur with a business, it meant I was doing something meaningful and something successful with my life…according to everyone around me at least.

So why didn’t it feel that way?

I wish someone had come along and not only told me, but showed me how to have a successful business. One built on passion and purpose without sacrificing my overall wellbeing. Because deep down, something in me said “I know I can have it all”.

I wanted a business that left a meaningful impact on everyone I worked with. I wanted a relationship rooted in deep trust and love. To raise children and have a strong family unit. To travel the world and not compromise on the things that bring me joy and life energy. I knew it was possible. But there was no guidance on how to do that in my industry; no good examples.

"So I had to become the template. I had to draft the plan, I had to create the values that would lead me to my destiny."

Establishing My Values

I had to take a serious look at what it meant to live a life based on the values I chose. Apparently, the values I carried around, the things that drove my decisions, the way I lived my life, weren't the values I had chosen.

I had to put an end to this way of life. The following values now guide my business, life, and decisions. 

"These values were not given to me; they were chosen by me, based on deep reflection, introspection, and elevated consciousness."

• Connection: The connection I have with my family and friends is my top priority. But I'm also extending it to you. Yes, you. The people reading this are an extension of my family, close friends, or those with whom I am deeply connected. The same is true for my business. I treat every client with kindness and compassion. This keeps me aligned with my values and maintains the integrity of my growth process.
• Growth: While I personally don’t believe in changing who I am, I do believe that there is a higher version of myself that is just beyond the horizon of my efforts. In both my personal and professional life, this process of growth has transformed me. As I continue to grow, I am able to support my community, industry, and the clients who trust me with their linguistic and entrepreneurial journey. It is my intention to elevate everyone who comes into contact with me or my work. This desire is driven by my personal growth process.
• Meaningful Work: The work that I do is not primarily based on monetary compensation. I do this work because I am driven, I am fuelled by it, and it stimulates my spirit. Trying to please others drove me into burnout, anxiety, and heartache. It's time to level the playing field. My work is my life, and my life has meaning, my life has purpose. 

"My work is to help you to attain your goals without sacrificing your wellbeing!"

Following My Vision

It's h and to believe but after 6 years in the language industry I had my own language coaching business, over 40,000 subscribers to my work and yet I was burnt out, underpaid and overwhelmed. 

I felt so uncomfortable with the idea of selling or marketing and as a result I started with following what others were doing rather than how can I create something that is a true expression of me that will serve and impact others.

I wanted to feel held and seen by my community. I wanted to see more transparency about money without taboo about the struggles. I wanted to witness more collaboration with less competition.

 There were a lot of people around me who cheered along when I was heading towards destruction. But oddly enough, when I finally found a vision for what felt right in my heart, the room got cold and lonely. This was incredibly insightful and helped me to understand that it's better to follow my passions that to follow others. Because in the end I will be the one living with the consequences. No one else can be held to account for what manifests in my life. 

I sincerely believe that it is possible for us all to live a life of abundance. We don’t need to struggle endlessly. We don’t need to live out the “I’ll rest when I’m dead” paradigm. We can share our gifts without shame. We can be free internally. We can spend time fostering deep relationships; including the ones without ourselves. We can live with a sense of purpose, clarity and direction of who we are, what we are doing and most importantly WHY.

When we follow calling, commit to our values, and hold firm to our vision, we give ourself permission to dream bigger and take bigger actions that align with that dream.

Thank you for taking this journey with me. I hope these words have helps to spark the flame that will help you to find your own path in this beautiful thing we call life.

Stay Inspired,