Transforming responsibility into privilege in three words.
Last week was a huge epiphany in pursuing my projects and passions.
My job (Business and Data analysis), my association (Kenyans in STEM Association), and Carerra's Chronicles.
And it's easy to get lost in the thick of things.
What initially started as a passion or a hobby, if left unchecked, can often become a burdening responsibility.
Most of these, I think, are self-imposed simply because "we have to."
"I have to write a blog post this week."
"I have to do three podcasts next week."
"I have to attend my child's recital tonight."
"I must pick my kids up from school every other day."
"I have to fly out to LA for multiple business meetings."
Self-imposed burdens, which, when we fail to achieve, cause some self-deprecation within us.
But as I learned last week, it's more of a perspective switch.
I look at the things I'm doing and the tasks I have to accomplish, then note one commonality between them— I wanted to do them.
I volunteered to do them.
And now, I get to do them.
That's the big reframe.
By switching from "I have to" to "I get to," I notice the privilege in what I do - the work I nearly started taking for granted.
Not everybody sings in the choir.
Not everyone gets to work for a huge bank.
Not everyone has a gym they go to everyday.
Not everyone gets to build a STEM association.
Not everyone gets to publish a blog in their free time.
And so on.
By saying, "I get to," I've noticed that I'm grateful for what I volunteered to do.
It was fun when I initially wanted to pursue them, and now that I'm pursuing them, I wouldn't say I like that fun to deteriorate under the name of responsibility.
Sure, of course, something can scale so big that you'll need multiple functions to operate it, most of which are outside your expertise. Instantly, you think you must do it (or 'you have to'), not remembering why you started—to enjoy it.
That would have me beckon in a growth mindset: "I get to enjoy the fruits of my success and share them with someone as well." And with that, instantly, I delegate the miscellaneous tasks to others who get to do them.
And just like that, you don't have to lead people - you get to lead people. You get to be a leader and lead others.
Also, this is not permission for me to lower my standards and do the bare minimum. If anything, I can't take it for granted that I'm doing these things, and that motivates me to pursue them with the highest enthusiasm possible.
I advocate a healthy balance, of course —doing something at your optimum best while still finding the love (or passion) to do it.
"I don't have to do this—I GET TO DO THIS." And watch your worldview change.
Until next time.
Happy Easter.
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~T.K.K
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