“Without you, the rest of us are without a source of many wonderful things.”—Leo Buscaglia
I heard an interview yesterday with Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi Nobel prize winner who founded Grameen Bank.
Like me, he’s on a mission to overturn the dominant paradigm. The current economic model suggests that ambitious, talented people should go to college and then look for a job. With degree in hand, they should find a slot to fill within the existing structure.
But as Yunus whose bank gives out microloans points out, squeezing yourself into a slot is a limited ambition. By virtue of being human, you are innately creative. It’s in your DNA to be a go-getter, a problem solver. Fitting into a big machine will never be as interesting and satisfying as creating your own job.
Our culture, in case you haven’t noticed, is in the process of being rearranged. Thanks to the democratization of digital technology, anyone who wants to can create their own job. The tools are now available for all of us to be innovators, artists, inventors, entrepreneurs.
We live in a time when one person writing at the coffee shop can reach millions. We live in an era when anyone who wants can gain leverage and create a platform.
As Yusuf says, “All people are smart people. Being from a special business school doesn’t make you any smarter than anyone else.”
Right now, without securing another degree or taking another workshop, you have all the tools, all the resources you could ever need to create an insanely meaningful, productive and prosperous life.
Because here’s the thing. The world as we know it is toast. Nearly everything we counted on, invested in, believed in is, for all practical purposes, grinding to a halt. That’s why we’re seeing such dysfunction in the political realm. People who benefited from the old model are trying desperately to hang on in our rapidly changing world.
The old life plan (go to college, get a job) worked for a long time. It created jobs and wealth and lifted people out of poverty. But turns out, the American Dream, a term coined by Fannie Mae to convince two-income, post-World War II families to take out mortgages, has a Dr. Jekyll lurking in the back closet.
The only way to keep the old system chugging along is rampant consumerism. And besides, working really hard at someone else’s agenda will never satisfy our deepest needs.
But giving of our gifts will.
Any donkey can tear down a barn. But how many of us are willing to build a new barn, create a new world, an entrepreneurial world that works for all of us?
To echo the quote from Leo Buscaglia with which I began this post, your visions, your gifts, your creativity is sorely needed. I beg of you, please don’t deprive the rest of us of your unique vision.
Pam Grout is the author of 19 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and the just-released, Art & Soul,Reloaded: A Year-Long Apprenticeship to Summon the Muses and Ignite Your Daring, Audacious, Creative Side.
17 Responses
I needed this sign tonight – thank you Pam.
Love your posts.
A x
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Wonderful post. And thank you for quoting Leo Buscaglia..it makes me luv you even more!!!
Gorgeous post (as always), Pam. Thank you!
This!!! Exactly and perfectly this!!
PS. Hilariously, I was going to pull excepts. Below. But it’s more or less the whole thing.
Haha
But as Yunus whose bank gives out microloans points out, squeezing yourself into a slot is a limited ambition. By virtue of being human, you are innately creative. It’s in your DNA to be a go-getter, a problem solver. Fitting into a big machine will never be as interesting and satisfying as creating your own job.
As Yusuf says, “All people are smart people. Being from a special business school doesn’t make you any smarter than anyone else.”
Right now, without securing another degree or taking another workshop, you have all the tools, all the resources you could ever need to create an insanely meaningful, productive and prosperous life.
Because here’s the thing. The world as we know it is toast. Nearly everything we counted on, invested in, believed in is, for all practical purposes, grinding to a halt.
And besides, working really hard at someone else’s agenda will never satisfy our deepest needs.
But giving of our gifts will.
Any donkey can tear down a barn. But how many of us are willing to build a new barn, create a new world, an entrepreneurial world that works for all of us?
Ok, this amazing post just woke me up and jerked me from utter despair. I was trying to figure why despite a top 5 medical school education, more diversity and training in both Eastern and Western medical thought than you can imagine and tech savvy and…you get the drift…I was so miserably unhappy in my job. I’ve heard all of the separate bits of your post individually over time, but you crystallized what I’ve been feeling and thinking and reading about perfectly. Yup, it’s not about what we consume (TOTALLY BUGS ME THAT THEY CALL US American citizens CONSUMERS!!!😡😡😡😡) these days, and that will never be the solution. Taking more than you give will never turn out in a positive way. You NAILED IT WITH THIS POST!!! THANK YOU!!!! And I’m a years long Pam Grout fan….since E squared…and I love the new book.
Please keep being you, and blogging, and writing. Some of us out here are getting it, and not feeling like such abject misfits…because we aren’t. We are just creative souls stuck In soul sucking jobs, and it’s time to stop sucking and being sucked.
Thanks
Kaye
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GREAT POST! Need this encouragement! thanks!
Ok, this amazing post just woke me up and jerked me from utter despair. I was trying to figure why despite a top 5 medical school education, more diversity and training in both Eastern and Western medical thought than you can imagine and tech savvy and…you get the drift…I was so miserably unhappy in my job. I’ve heard all of the separate bits of your post individually over time, but you crystallized what I’ve been feeling and thinking and reading about perfectly. Yup, it’s not about what we consume (TOTALLY BUGS ME THAT THEY CALL US American citizens CONSUMERS!!!😡😡😡😡) these days, and that will never be the solution. Taking more than you give will never turn out in a positive way. You NAILED IT WITH THIS POST!!! THANK YOU!!!! And I’m a years long Pam Grout fan….since E squared…and I love the new book.
Please keep being you, and blogging, and writing. Some of us out here are getting it, and not feeling like such abject misfits…because we aren’t. We are just creative souls stuck In soul sucking jobs, and it’s time to stop sucking and being sucked on.
Thanks
Kaye
Was going to post a comment, but all the other posts summed it up. Thanks for the work you do.
Pam, thanks so much for this message. EXACTLY what I needed!
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You’re right Pam, I’m sure. This world as we know it is toast. It’s hard to not be a little freaked out about that once in a while. But reading this post today was perfect after a film I saw last night. Our library showed the documentary, “Auroville, The City of Dawn” which made me so hopeful, knowing there are people doing what it takes to live in unity, in cooperation, in peace. I highly recommend it! Anyway, your words are aligned with the film’s message, and reading it today felt like I’m attracting more of that vibration, which makes me smile and feel better. So THANK YOU!
I love your posts Pam! Every time I receive an email with a new post from you I know I’m going to be inspired and delighted. Thankyou for courageously and joyously putting yourself out there as you express wonderful ideas and universal truths in the fabulous “Pam Grout” way 😄
Dear Pam,
I remember a post of you not so long ago where you doubted if you added any value to the lives of your readers.
I can say that you are doing a tremendous job. I am at the verge off starting a spiritual orientated coaching business and your blog posts are doing a great job in getting me ready and go beyond my fears and doubts. I have given many of your books away to friends and colleagues, and I am sharing your positive blog messages with many others too.
Please keep on doing the great work because you are inspiring not only your readers but also many others who are redirected by your readers. And from some of my friends I have heard that your work has made a direct and huge impact on their lives in a very positive way.
Thank you for being you and keep on doing what you do.
With love and light,
Miquel de Boer
The Netherlands
Dear Pam, I could say this came at a perfect moment but those words do not do justice to how immensely your words impacted my feelings and outlook. You saved me. I can never thank you enough.
As tears roll down my face, all I can say is THANK YOU From the bottom of my heart for caring so much in the wellbeing of the people in our planet. I hope what you give out comes back to you multiplied by The millions. Much love my dear. And thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
In Light,
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any”
Alice Walker
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Working on it!
Thank you, Pam. This was so on time, it bought a tear to my eye. Create I Will!
There is a lot to learn here. I’m from the dinosaur age and happily watching it crumble. No more boxes to fit into.
I couldn’t agree more with your post! Not to brag but I have done this with great success. I decided where I wanted to live…was 58 years old and had no idea how I was going to support myself. I created a business and I’m six years into it . Most successful I have ever been. And the best part? I am doing what I absolutely love. My favorite quote from Mark Twain….”Make your vocation your vacation”. I picked where to live based on it being my favorite vacation spot…Carmel by the Sea. I love your posts and your books….In fact, I would say that ESquared certainly played a role in my success. XOXO