No Can Do
Howard Thurman famously said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Inspiring words, right? Yes, but whenever I see this quote, I can’t help but also feel a little sad too because I think of all the times I’ve asked people what they’d REALLY like to be doing and then hear their depressing “no can do” reasons for why they’re not doing it.
After more than 2 decades in the career business, I’m pretty sure I’ve heard it all, especially… no one wants to hire me to do what I really want to do, I can’t make any money doing that, I’d be laughed out the door if I proposed it, I tried it and it didn’t work out, I’m too old, I’m too young, I’m too inexperienced, I’m too broke, maybe when I retire, etc.
Even after all this time, I still have the same response to these “no can do” reasons: 1. There’s always a way to do something that makes you come alive, even if you don’t get paid for it, and 2. just because you don’t get paid now, it doesn’t mean you won’t ever.
People with great minds and great willpower who have made great contributions to our society got laughed at, failed, didn’t get paid at first for their dream, were old when they started, were inexperienced because they were pioneers, didn’t have any money but figured out a way, and so on.
Albert Einstein’s teacher thought he daydreamed too much and predicted he’d never amount to anything. I wonder what that teacher said when Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics!
Ray Croc started McDonald’s at age 52. Even if you’re not a fan of fast food, you have to admit that the Big Mac makes a big difference to some in our society. The mission of Ronald McDonald House is to keep families together and near the care they need. In 2017, they provided more than 2.45M overnight stays, which saved families over $880M in lodging and meals.
Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881, at age 59, and led it for the next 23 years during an era when leading a large institution was considered to be unfitting for a woman.
Mikaila Ulmer wasn’t too young to do something big. At 4 years old she came up with her honey-sweetened flaxseed lemonade that later evolved into an award-winning product you can buy at Whole Foods. Now at 13 years old, she’s a “social entrepreneur, bee ambassador, educator and student.”
George Washington Carver was born a slave and eventually became the first African American to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. That was in 1894. Two years later he earned his Master of Agriculture degree. Among his many contributions, he taught farmers about crop rotation and invented products from sweet potatoes and peanuts.
And while we’re on the topic of inventors, can you just imagine what people must have thought of those crazy Wright brothers when they were playing around down on the beach in Kitty Hawk thinking that they could make their contraption fly?
Obviously these folks did what they did and came alive doing it, so much so that we know who they are. They made a lasting contribution.
Sure, there’s a chance that you won’t be rich or famous for doing what makes you come alive (or maybe you will!), but you will definitely be happier and more productive. And that’s far better than being held back by “no can do” reasons.
In supporting so many people during their career transitions, I’ve observed a simple fact. When people are enthusiastic about what they do, they are simply more attractive to those who might be willing to buy in… whether that is during an interview with a prospective employer to get hired or during an interview with an angel investor to get an idea funded.
What makes you come alive? Figure it out if you haven’t already and then find a way to do it. Because like the man said, what the world needs is people who have come alive!
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Listen to the “No Can Do” podcast below to hear more about these and other inspirational stories.
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Angela Loeb is into self-development & personal empowerment, being awed by nature, writing, and being inspired by superhero stories. She’s also a career expert who’s advised job seekers for more than two decades.
http://angelaloeb.com
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