It took me a long time to realize that how I show up for myself is what I teach my children how they show up for themselves. I am driven to create a life in which I follow my dreams and ideas and focus on my own goals – no matter whether the people around me agree with me or not.
And I want my kids to find their own way – be it through finding a career or starting their own business – whatever that looks like for them. I think it’s important that we tell them and teach them that it’s okay to show up for yourself in a way that supports you the best.
As a visionary and dreamer, I am filled with a ton of ideas that I want to pursue but I also have heard that I need to get my life together and get a real job.
Here’s the thing, I have had real jobs, some great and some not so great. Some that lasted a mere 3 hours and others I spend 3 years doing. But none of have given me the satisfaction and freedom I wanted to experience in my life every day than being an entrepreneur.
As I am watching my kids now (27, 21 and 16) I know that one will do better in a job with routine while another needs freedom to do what they are passionate about while another needs a balance of both. But something is inherently clear that they have picked up over the years: Follow what you are passionate about no matter what you do for a living.
These words from Nothing More’s song: Fade in Fade (link to the official music video) out perhaps express exactly how I tried to teach my children:
Go and find your way
Leave me in your wake
Always push through the pain
And don’t run away from change
Never settle
Make your mark
Hold your head up
Follow your heart
This parenting job isn’t easy and as parents, I think we can agree that we want our children to have a most amazing life and be successful. But I also think we need to be cautious that we don’t push our own ideals onto them and really just allow them the space to figure out for themselves.
In the meantime, we can follow the dreams we’re passionate about and show up for the things that are important to us and set the example of how they can show up for themselves.