032 - How three revealing stories actually helped me find my Why
It started at a dinner party where I didn’t know anyone and my camera opened the door to my future calling. Remember I said that everyone needs a Why story? I’ll tell you three of mine today.
I am like a lot of people in that I pay attention to when I get confirmation on a big decision in several ways. Three different confirmations are enough for me to sit up and pay attention. This is what happened to me back in 2010 when I finally decided to start a business.
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Confirmation 1
I was at a dinner party where I didn’t know anyone.
I remember most people were in the dining room and kitchen.
I was in full introvert mode, so I was sitting in the living room by myself, cradling my camera in my lap.
Someone came by — I don’t remember who — and gave the Capt Obvious — so you’re a photographer?
Yep. And then he asked me a question about using the camera. I explained the concept to him and thought we were done. Then came another question. And another. Then a few more people came by to see what was going on and through in their questions.
Before I knew it, I had a small crowd around me asking questions and seeming fascinated with my explanations. I had never had to explain photography like that before, but I found it exhilarating.
I went home thinking — that was fun. I could do that for a living.
Confirmation 2
Since then I started a photography Meetup group, and I used to help informally. Not really teaching. Just helping. And I went on a workshop where a guy did a photo tour, and I remember thinking that looks like it could be fun. I could do that.
I got up the nerve and announced to my group that I was thinking of teaching. And I would offer a free class in exchange for honest feedback on the experience. I created my class, 10 steps — I went on the refine it, but it was a little rough.
Interestingly enough, my attendees gave me good feedback. They said I was helpful. And for me, it was exhilarating again. I remember going home this time thinking, I was born to do this.
Confirmation 3
I started planning this as a business idea, but I wasn’t sure I was really going to do it.
I went on a business trip and was planning to use that time to think it through.
Our company was notorious for always throwing dinners on our trip.
That night I was not in the mood. I wanted to just relax in my room, but that was frowned upon. I dragged myself down to the restaurant, and I was a little late. There was only one seat left.
It was next to a guy I just did not want to sit with. He’d said something at another one of these meetings that rubbed me the wrong way, and I decided he was not someone I wanted to socialize with…but there was the seat.
I slid in the chair, turned away from his direction, fully prepared to ignore him the rest of the night.
But I overheard him talking with another lady in my office, and they were both talking about dying.
Now I couldn’t ignore it. I’m sorry for eavesdropping, what’s going on?
He proceeded to tell me that he was dying. His insides were filled with tumors. My other colleague next to him also shared that she too was dying.
Then they began to talk about taking advantage of life. Not waiting until you are dying to do the things you want to do.
And then he says to me. Something tells me that you’d be a good teacher. Have you ever tried that? I told him, no but I was thinking about it. He then said, you should do it or you will always regret it.
I was floored that he saw that and would volunteer it. He didn’t know me. He had never seen me in anything resembling a teaching situation.
I got in my rental and drove around that city for hours just processing what happened. I knew then that it was the final confirmation I needed.
The lesson I learned
Here’s what else I learned. My career as a professional communicator — explaining technical and complex scientific subjects helped me to be effective in a teaching role even though I had no formal training. Thirty years as a content creator set me up in a good place to launch a content marketing approach to my business.
My Why story — I discovered that I love teaching — my background prepared me for it — and I love sharing the creative talents that I’m passionate about.
My What story — the big problem I’m trying to solve? You can find that in the answer to two questions asked by Mike Kim — what pisses you off and what breaks your heart.
We’ll talk about that another time.
