They-Say Vision

I have been pondering for the past month on what my first post was going to cover, and it finally came to me when I least expected it, after a long day. It’s something that stood out to me as I was watching The Dropout on Hulu. I love a good business scandal and learning the details behind how the fraud was being committed. If curiosity killed the cat then I’m a goner. Guilty as charged. Some background info: Amanda Seyfried was playing the role of Elizabeth Holmes, a convicted fraudster, who was running a billion-dollar biotech company. She manifested being a billionaire as a child and well, lol, idk if I feel anguish or admiration?

There was a scene where Amanda Seyfried (and I’m summarizing; bear with me) was in the Apple Store, making conversation with a genius. The genius stated that she was working at the Apple Store until she figured out her next steps. Amanda looks puzzled and immediately asks her what she wanted to do as a child,  and homegirl HAD NO IDEA. The conversation stood out to me because I identify as someone who has always had vision ever since I was a teenager. Although the details of how I get there aren’t set in stone, I always know what I’m working towards. It fuels me. The trial and error, for me, is in the form of what I need to do to get closer to fulfilling that vision. With that being said, that doesn’t mean my way of thinking is the best way. Others have described me as way too serious, type A, aggressive, etc. I like feeling in control, which isn’t always received well, and sometimes, I feel disappointed when the circumstances don’t match the vision. 

Contrastingly, Amanda made a good point that not having a defined vision means that you can do literally anything. It’s like you’re starting with a clear canvas each day, and that has to be extremely freeing. Architect? Stylist? Backpacker? The options are limitless. As we get older, it’s easier to get stuck in our routines, but that doesn’t have to be reality. This doesn’t only apply to career paths. I look at immigrants, for example. Uprooting yourself from everything that you are familiar with to move to a foreign country is probably not something that you accounted for as a kid. However, it also is advantageous to overcome barriers and have that clear canvas, that I’m speaking of, to create a brand new life. 

These unique approaches are necessary for us to find our meaning, our purpose. What defines peace? What defines happiness? What defines success? It’s personal to each and every one of us. Allowing yourself the safe space to prioritize emotional fulfillment takes bravery, and you’re not any further from where you need to be just because you don’t have a defined vision. Going back to Elizabeth Holmes, her defined vision was her downfall *bloop*. As long as you know WHEN to execute then it’s all in divine timing. “Detach from the outcome” is a spiritual mantra that is clearly on my neck, so kudos to those who have already mastered it. There’s great benefit in openness. We all have different paths, so whenever you do get your fuel, take it and run with it!

Reflection Points: 

1. For everyone, what motivates you? What keeps you pushing forward? Are you a planner or a doer?
2. For those who identify with the Apple genius, what is the deciding factor in your decision-making? How do you know when you have an idea worth executing?