Creating with intention
Check your browser history. Which sites claim most of your time? What pages are you visiting regularly? Whose stories do you tap? And when do you stop scrolling?
The people you watch, the photos you admire, the videos you pull up — they all say something about who you are and who you aspire to be. Notice where you are directing your energy and focus.
Time is currency. Spend wisely.
I was asked to speak to a group of Nepali students on “Career counseling.” I wrote a few things down.
When you’re uncertain, you’re uncomfortable. No one likes being uncomfortable. That’s why we go to doctors to get medicine instead of taking vitamins.
In addition to telling you to take vitamins and take good care of your health, I’m going to tell you to make mistakes.
Yup, you heard me. Mistakes. Galti. Galti haaru.
Lots of them.
See, we think that once we graduate and get a degree, we will have a good paying job and maybe a family to look after. This perfect recipe will bring happiness and joy, maybe even success or fame, and definitely enough money to take a vacation once in awhile.
It rarely works that way.
In fact, the happiest moments in life will come after devastating blows, points when you convince yourself you have made a bunch of mistakes that can never and will never be fixed.
These winding, dark roads reveal who you are and what you are capable of.
Before I came to Nepal, I was living in New York City. In a pretty decent apartment next to Central Park. I was working in advertising with unique clients, and some of them were famous people. But I wasn’t 100% satisfied. I had gone to Columbia University for my Masters in Social Work, yet I didn’t feel like I was making the contribution I was meant to. I was doing interesting work, sure, but I didn’t feel like I was helping people who really needed it. I knew there was something more.
After a bad breakup and nights sleeping on friends’ couches, I found myself trekking to Everest Base Camp. I ended up volunteering after the trek and saw things in Nepal I couldn’t walk away from. Bit by bit, I set out to learn more about Nepali culture.
I used my social work degree to understand more about systems and community.
I practiced empathy I learned as a probation officer to listen to people’s stories, hear their worries and stresses and pain.
I used my experiences in advertising to come up with plans.
And then I used my professional and personal connections to fundraise money to start Learning House, which maybe some of you have heard about.
My life was set into an entirely new track. All because I was open. I wasn’t fixed on a particular goal, but I knew what I wanted and what I was good at.
I knew I liked bringing people together in unique and fun ways, and that I wanted to encourage leadership and education.
I knew that I wanted to create and make things. I also knew that I wanted to be my own boss, but that I wanted to work alongside fun, energetic, and passionate people.
Nothing is impossible. Especially not with the internet at your hands.
Now, I’m able to work as a travel writer and freelancer to pay my own bills and keep Learning House going.
I am able to keep in touch with friends and mentors all over the world.
I can get business advice when I’m totally confused (remember, my training is in psychology and social work, but I am happy to say that I will be entering an alt MBA online program in a few months).
So, what’s my point?
Find people whose lives you admire. People who you want to be like. Then copy them. Ask them questions. What keeps them going? What motivates them? Where do they find inspiration? Set up an informational interview: Ask them for fifteen minutes of their time, write down a list of questions, and go to their office to meet them. Leave after fifteen minutes, not a minute more, then send a thank you note to them afterwards.
Always stay grateful.
You never know where life will take you. You never know who you will meet or how they might help you later on down the line. We have a saying, “Don’t burn bridges.” Watch your mouth, how to speak to others — and how you speak to yourself. You are your biggest advocate and cheerleader. Be positive to yourself and to those around you.
It may sound cliche, but you really can do anything you set your mind to.
Including building a learning center from nothing.
Make mistakes. Galti haru.
An amateur hopes a goal will happen. The professional sets a goal then works backwards.
An amateur cuts with words. Professionals look for ways to raise their own game while lifting others alongside them.
An amateur relies on hope. The professional acts and demonstrates results.
The amateur seeks attention. The professional graciously accepts accolades, then continues to focus on the work.
An amateur always plays victim. The professional acknowledges missteps and learns from mistakes.
Amateurs operate from a scarcity mentality. Professionals are generous.
An amateur puts in a little work and expects instant results. The professional plays the long game, day in and day out, sometimes without pay, knowing that rewards will come.
An amateur is impatient, reactive, and compulsive. Professionals ground themselves, reflect, and listen.
Amateurs alienate themselves. True professionals know the value and importance of relationships.
An amateur speaks of people. The professional would rather work, plan, dream, and create.
Amateurs fail to set boundaries and struggle to ask for their worth. Professionals are kind, but firm, and aren’t afraid to ask for what they need.
An amateur rarely has routine. Professionals schedule days with intention.
To learn more about becoming a professional, I recommend Steven Pressfield’s Turning Pro. This free ebook is also a great place to start if you’re looking to turn amateur habits into professional ones.
Choose wisely:
Take as needed.
Last weekend my team and I organized the first free outdoor film festival in Pokhara, Nepal. From crowdfunding to logistical planning, we spent months outlining how the event would run. Through hard work, grit, and perseverance, we turned what was once a dream into reality: Over 400 attendees enjoyed films in three different locations throughout the city. Popcorn, prizes, and toys were distributed. People who had never stepped foot in a movie theater were inspired by Rocky, Titanic, and Pocahontas. The smiles were priceless. And it was all set beneath starlight skies.
Plenty of times along the way we could have given up. When we first launched our crowdfunding campaign, I spent several days riddled at home with anxiety, wondering how and if we were really able to pull this off. We could have let frustration win when we were sent to yet another government office for another stamp or another signature. We could have shrugged our shoulders and moved on to another idea when we were questioned, “What is this? Who watches movies outside?” or asked about the motive of our program. We could have quit when we were laughed at.
But we didn’t. Even when we knew people were watching us, hoping we’d fail, we kept going.
And that, my friends, is how you create your future. You keep going.
When the naysayers doubt your dreams, even when you doubt your own abilities, keep going.
Your future is ready for you to create it.