Last Sunday, I heard an encouraging, reassuring message that I had heard before but couldn’t help but grin and listen attentively for a refresher course. The topic was “Creating Multiple Revenue Streams” – a valuable topic that no one can’t afford to pay attention to, regardless of social status. The points presented were simple and practical for anyone to understand. However, those points mean nothing if one simply believes that some unnatural occurrence is going to suddenly bring about thousands of dollars in their life. The fact of life is this: We all, at one point or another, struggle with taking control of our in-born purpose.

After being fed up with waiting for my boss to critique my re-edited resume, I simply did it myself – my primary concentration in college was Professional Writing anyway – and then proceeded to spend an entire afternoon on Monster.com to make myself appear as marketable as possible. That sounds great, right? Well, on top of that, two days later on that following Monday, I received two phone calls during my work hours. One to see if I was interested in taking on a Web Developer role asap, and another as an interview to size me up as a potential candidate for some role. The second one was the most intimidating because it was a Japanese woman suddenly testing me on my speaking ability and asking me if I’d be willing to relocate to San Francisco. I also received another phone call on Wednesday from a job recruiter looking to fill a demanding, front-end Web Developer position in Manhattan with noteworthy clientele to boot. Even though I live about thirty minutes outside of NYC in NJ, I refused the offer after wasting the guy’s time. On all calls, I balked horribly, tripping over my words and kicking myself for sounding so unprofessional and uncertain of what I wanted out of a new job.

Now some would say, “Wow man! You have some great luck!” However, I was asking myself, “Why…why can’t I be confident about this?” I kept asking myself over and over again. And then, I shift my eyes a bit and look to my left…

This is my microphone that I use for doing voice acting – I have done compensated work, though most of it is amateur for my portfolio. My greatest pleasure is derived from speaking, singing, and yelling into that which was a birthday gift from my two best friends to help me attain my purpose.

What/who represents and reminds you of your greatest pleasure?

Every one has been asked the age-old question: What do you want to do with your life? Some of us are resolute, and the majority just get upset whenever they are faced with it. Regardless of my belief that my current occupation and resume to market myself out as a “Front-End Web Specialist” is going to place me in a better financially stable position, I cannot acknowledge this as my purpose in life! Yes, I had a great interest in web design/production – the only reason why I have the job I have – but I am 100% miserable whenever I think about working for someone else in the same occupational title. Fact is, I’m not passionate. Being well-rounded gave me no other viable options because I lacked the necessary entrepreneur mindset to create my own place as a professional voice actor…until now.

What does this mean for others like myself?
It means a few things:

• Stop being a masochist and do what you love! How can you live by isshoukenmei and hate what you do in this life? It is possible, but you will be regretting so much.
• Be honest with yourself! Admit to hating what you are doing now and make a plan in the midst of everything to forge your own path towards attaining your dreams. And while you’re at it, be honest with yourself about your accomplishments. They may be the only thing you have to keep you motivated. I know they are for me…
• Even if you never considered being an entrepreneur, forget that! The goal here is to gradually arrive in a position where you are managing or at least in a position to work in a field that you love. I firmly believe that those who are entrepreneurs now don’t start off planning around becoming one. They focus on growing in what they love, and gradually become known as a leader. Though I am still not much of an entrepreneur two years later, I am my own example of growth in my passion.
• It’s never “too soon” or “too late.” Yes, there is a process involved, and nothing can be attained without a realistic strategy. However, the moment you convince yourself that you “can’t,” you’ve lost faith in yourself and your dream is as good as dead, not to mention any semblance of isshoukenmei towards that. I’m guilty of saying that myself, which is why…

This entry is for me as well. My resume is not going to come down off of Monster.com, nor am I going to skip the introductory meeting with an associate company that I’m having next week. The reality of my situation is that I need a source of income doing what I can do, and it would be foolish to quit my job or ignore a situation I’m comfortable with that could put more money in my bank account. However, my passion remains clear and my skills in web production will be part of the master plan that carves my path towards it.

There is no reason for anyone to be denied in partaking and profiting in their greatest pleasure in life. We ALL have a purpose. Don’t EVER think you are so “special” that you, even for a second, believe that you have no purpose for being on this earth!

‘The situation is perfectly clear.’ All the pieces needed are right in front of me! -Lelouch Lamperouge

How ‘clear’ have you made out your unique purpose to be?