I thought I'd share this letter I wrote to myself this past January.
Maybe this letter will help you think about your own shovel, or at the very least tell you where to get the cheapest coffee in Forest Lake, MN.
January 6, 2016
Amanda J. Houle
Company Name: N/A at the moment
McDonald’s
Forest Lake, MN (zip code unknown)
Dear Amanda,
Hello. Thank you for taking the time to write this letter to yourself, as you sit in McDonald’s, sipping on your $1.38 coffee, listening to the two old men at the table next to you babble on about the Syrian refugee crisis. It was an intriguing-enough exchange, but you let yourself get lost, once again, in your never-ending search for nursing jobs on indeed.com. Well, how has that been going for you lately?
I think you already know.
So why are you writing this letter to yourself? You’re not sure, which is typical of your current circumstances… or maybe just typical of your life. Let’s get one thing out in the open: YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.
There. You’ve said it—to yourself. So it must be true. Now let’s work on accepting that.
Breathe.
One more time.
And repeat after me: “It. is. okay.”
Feel better? Sort of? Okay, let’s keep going.
Let me take a little guess, here (okay, I’m cheating, but this will be fun, anyways). I’m guessing that you are staring at these job postings and feeling terrified that basically NONE of these opportunities looks like it would bring you happiness and contentment and challenge and messy tears that are actually worth something and growth and excitement and creativity and the ability to actually make a difference. Wow. Did you know you were feeling that way? Now you do.
Remember today when your dad told you that, “If everyone got to do a job they actually liked, the world wouldn't be as good of a place.” After an awkward pause and your quick philosophical check-up on this statement he replied, “There would just be a bunch of dirt laying around and roads would never get built.” This. This statement is actually gold. And quite helpful for you; you’re just not sure in what ways it is helpful at the moment.
So I bet you think I started writing this letter to you to give you answers. Well, Amanda, you’re wrong. I’m here to give you more questions. Important ones. So listen closely.
- Can you make a difference right now, sitting in this McDonalds, drinking this McDonald’s coffee that tastes better than you think it probably should?
- Can building a road also help build character, and teach you lessons about life?
- If you went to Menard’s, bought a shovel, how hard would you be willing to help build a road that would lead you to the place you want to get to?
- WHERE would you direct that road towards?
- Are the jobs you are applying for, the place you are considering moving to, opportunities you are considering seizing, are they putting that shovel in your hand? Are they putting a team around you who also hold shovels that are building a road?
This is my challenge to you, my friend. Do not be afraid to pick up the shovel. Do not be afraid to get callused hands. Do not be afraid to work hard and take risks, despite being unsure of exactly where this road you will build will lead you to.
Have courage, not fear.
And just. start. digging.
Sincerely yours,
Amanda
(Three and a half months later I have finally picked up the shovel I was talking about, and I am so excited to start digging.)