Do You Know What Is Yours to Do in 2025?
Many people face new challenges or find themselves confused about the best path ahead. Although political shifts explain some of this, the people I hear from are often seeking help with other concerns. The next few issues of The Gist of It will address an important topic: finding what is ours to do.
Are you a good leader but concerned about how to have more impact?
Maybe you’re bored with your current job and want something different?
Are you approaching retirement and wondering what you might do next?
Do you feel burned out and no longer enthusiastic about something you once enjoyed?
Or perhaps you’ve “got it all” but somehow wish life felt more fulfilling?
These situations all signal that you have room for growth and all healthy change involves growth.
Are you ready for this? If so, it’s going to take some work to discern and answer the “call” in your life. To paraphrase Frederik Buechner:
Our calling can be found where our heart’s deep gladness meets the world’s deep hunger.
This implies that we find our deepest fulfillment by giving of ourselves, more than by seeking personal gain. And, indeed, our world has a lot of hungers. Some that come to mind are served by charitable organizations – and getting involved with those can be gratifying.
However, the greatest fulfillment comes from paying attention to the phrase “our heart’s deep gladness.”
Each of us is unique. Finding what is yours to do always begins with understanding what brings you joy. Let’s start simply - review these 5 activities and ask yourself which makes you feel happiest:
Helping someone learn something new or important
Contributing to another’s professional advancement
Providing hands-on care for someone who is ill, weak, or vulnerable
Offering basic support (such as driving or delivering a meal) to someone who needs it
Advocating for policy change to create more justice for the underserved
If none of these flip your switch, plan to reflect more on what does. Set aside 30 minutes to probe just this one question. Make notes on 2-3 activities that bring you joy. Don’t worry yet about how to apply them .
This is all about YOU.
Determining what we are meant to do is as personal as falling in love. You will have to be vulnerable and brave to explore this. But self-discovery is worth your time because:
Self-awareness is the first step in discovering what is yours to do.
*******
And that’s The Gist of It™ - Ideas to advance dignity, practice humility, and develop leaders of character and integrity.
Thank you for being part of this community!
If you find this helpful, I’d feel honored if you would forward it to others.
They can get The Gist of It™ in their inbox twice a month by signing up here.
Marilyn Gist, PhD