Sometimes You Find The Light And Sometimes The Light Finds You

As many of you know, I’m an ardent fan of country music  (and Black gospel music).  Both of them got me through a rough adolescence and gave me a path to follow my gut and pursue a path that the people around me had no understanding of.  They both soothed my soul and gave me permission to be with my feelings.  They gave me something that I didn’t even know I was looking for. And the title line of what I’m writing captures what I’m wrestling with now, and, hopefully, will also be of benefit to others.

By all estimation, I’ve had a very successful career.  As a consultant, advisor, teacher and psychotherapist, I’ve impacted the lives of many people, and given them the tools to leverage change, in the service of getting more satisfaction and gratification from both their personal and professional lives.  But things have changed, and so must I.

I still very much enjoy what I do.  It still fulfills my vision of being an impact player and changing the world I live in, one person at a time.  The challenge I’m facing, is two-fold:  I don’t want to do it exactly as I have for a long time; and the changes in our culture have made it nearly impossible to do things the way I always have.  So, I’m not sure if the internet found me, or I found it.  In any case, the digital way of doing things seemed to have arrived at the same time that my life experiences have made it clear that I need to change how I interface with my clients, which inevitably changes the way I practice.  

I have finally admitted to myself, that flying four and half million miles on Delta, and a million on United, is more than enough for one lifetime. And spending  thousands of nights in hotels (no matter how nice), started years ago, to feel like a character in the “Death of a Salesman.”  

On the positive, but very challenging side, was the realization, that I could have the same impact on my clients, by interacting with them, telephonically, or visually.  Good news – except I still need to find clients, but not in the way I always have. I am getting great support and encouragement that “the internet is my friend,” but I’m not convinced yet.  

So, what’s my point?  It’s this:  No matter how smart you are; how experienced you are, in your craft; and how old you are; change doesn’t care.  To my colleagues, identify something you do, or some way you work with people in a unique way, and lead with it, in everything you do. It’s called your brand. (Mine is: I Keep Smart People, From Doing Stupid Stuff)  Hang in there and create your beacon.  That way, The Light Will Find You.