What If You Could Do Anything?
Here’s an interesting question: What would you choose to do for a living if you could pick anything at all? What would you do if no one knew anything about your past work history or credentials, except you?
What would you do if you could do anything?
This is a question that Gwynn posed to me last week and even now it has me thinking.
It’s difficult to answer this question when you don’t have one specific passion or that one concrete calling in life. I told him that if I could do anything at all I would love to help people declutter and organize their home, work or holiday space.
I love simplifying, decluttering and organizing, almost to the point of obsession, and I love helping people feel better by getting their lives in order.
But is that it? Is THAT what I would do?
The more I thought about it the more things popped into my head as to what I would do.
- organize fundraisers for charity
- become a chef
- photography
- write
- run a bed and breakfast
- run a couples resort in cottage country (this was Gwynn’s suggestion … but I liked it too)
So why choose one? Why even ponder this question at all? It’s not like this is ever going to happen anyway. I’m not going to just drop everything and start up a photography business or buy a couples resort. Truth is I don’t have the skills, know how or money to do either at the moment. But wait. Aren’t these just excuses?
The point of pondering this question is not to figure out what you should be doing right now or to live in la-la land but rather to gain some insight into what you would really rather be doing if there were no restraints at all.
Use this exercise to shift your path in a direction that may ultimately lead you to such a career, hobby or enjoyment of life. You can only jump at an opportunity if you know that it’s in fact an opportunity.
Warning!
If you play out any of these scenarios all the way to the end, be sure to spend a bit of time thinking about the other side of the coin as well. Sure running a couples resort would be awesome. People checking in for a quiet romantic weekend, they’re likely to be happy and rather quiet. There would be plenty of time for me and Gwynn to just putter, soak in the sun and meet new people.
But what about when people trash a cottage, break a propeller blade on the boat motor, or shout profanities at you when the phone lines are down and they can’t get on the Internet? Having to deal with last minute cancellations, people showing up with a pet or their kids. Would this still be something I would do if I could do anything?
As it so happens for this example, yes. I love a good challenge when it comes to customer service. It provides a great opportunity to put this personal development stuff into practice 
On the other hand, if I was scared of confrontation or didn’t want to deal with maintenance issues etc … then heading all the way down this path in my head would save me a lot of heart ache and time.
So I pose the question to you. What would you do if there were no limits and you could do anything?
See also:
The Grass Is Always Green Right Under Your Feet
Secrets of the Perpetually Unhappy
Small and Steady Wins The Race
Photo courtesy of: Marco Bellucci
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I’d run a little coffee shop with homemade cakes and cookies. I love to bake. It would be a small, cute cosy place and there would be a choice of only maybe 3 different cakes a day, depending of what I’ve baked. I’d serve delicious coffee and teas too.
Something travel related would also be very appealing….
Mummy Zen´s last blog ..Keeping a Record of the Year
I’d buy a boat, sail around the world. Immerse myself in different cultures, find a way to help people while I’m there.
Along the way, I’d do lots of writing and playing guitar. Swimming, snorkeling, watching the sun set into the sea.
Chasing after local girls, eating local cuisine, enjoying local music, partying with local musicians…
Hmm. I could get used to this. When do we start?
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..At Last, Me Again.
I’m making the transition to the freelance lifestyle, and so far everything is going good. Some bumps here and there, a couple of past deadlines but so far everything is ok.
I really want to be free to do what I think it’s the best, for my health and growth and for those who are around me.
Thanks for sharing Sherri, it’s a wonderful way to kick start our year!
Alejandro Reyes´s last blog ..Technical issues…
It is great idea to start all over again doing what you want but the question is. How do a change my mind against all the obstacles of my presence to create a future what I love? How do I really change my mind?
I love photography and I want to be a good writer. But also I like the idea of having a computer café, learn to play the piano and been able to enjoy every sunset.
I guess I’m a dreamer!
Excellent post, Sherri!
I am actually very happy with where I am right now. I am following my passion and doing exactly what I want. I feel my life heading in the direction I want.
All I can say is that if you want to do what you love, you can always start today. There is always something small you can do. Excuses begone!
Henri @ Wake Up Cloud´s last blog ..Why Some People Almost Always Get What They Want
I’d live in a mostly self-sustainable home in the tropics! (Ok, I guess that isn’t a job but I would REALLY like to do that!)
I’d be a speaker. And help people.
Also, I’d like to hang out with Jay while I do it. YES, I am all about the travel and food, baby!
Hayden Tompkins´s last blog ..Here There Be Awesome!
If I could do ANYTHING? I have a whole range of ideas, including my current career. That said, I always think about opening a cafe.
This wouldn’t be your typical cafe. Rather, it would be a multi-floor endeavor, best suited for an old house.
The first floor would include a small coffee/microbrew/wine bar where you can order your beverages/food. A separate room filled with easy chairs and couches, a few tables and chairs. A main room with a stage and plenty of seating/tables.
The upstairs would essentially be living rooms. It would be a comfortable place to meet. Not the chaos of a bar, but not the sterile nature of some cafes.
I’d enjoy that.
SimplePGH´s last blog ..On the Need for a Vehicle
I would give away money! My hero is Larry Stewart, Secret Santa. (Of course, this would be contingent on having a great deal of money.)
If I just had a decent amount of money, I would live “off the map” in New Mexico and make pottery!
Hi Sherri!
I started The Artist’s Way a couple months ago (been working through slowly and at my own pace) but one of the exercises was to think of 5 lives you would like to lead if given the chance to do it again 5 more times (specifically the work or career you would choose).
Was a fun and thought provoking exercise…and helped me realize how some things I’m really drawn to have a lot of representation in my life right now (as hobbies or side interests) and some have no representation at all. It’s challenged me that although being a monk may not be on this life’s agenda– spending time in quiet and solitude is something that feeds my soul and I should be trying to make time for that even when I can.
Lisa @ WellGrounded Life´s last blog ..10 Secrets of a Health Coach
What a wonderful exercise!
Yes, indeed, what if we could do anything? And we can, so perhaps it’s important to see the areas of resistance and release, and see what comes up.
I would be a writer. I am writer, so I would make a living with writing.
Thanks, a lot to consider with this simple exercise!
k
Kaushik´s last blog ..Dark Night of the Soul
I’d keep writing and working on projects, but probably in a much warmer state… writing with a view of the ocean.
I would continue meditating, writing, and speaking. I would like to teach classes on meditation and peaceful living and become more involved in humanitarian efforts in third-world countries.
Carol´s last blog ..10 Tips to Create Peace in the New Year
I started out small and it kept getting bigger and bigger…from animal rescue to a healing center for both people and animals. It’s nice to dream and gave me a lot to think about what I really want my life to be. Thanks, Sherri (and Gwynn)! You know, a lot is said about money not buying happiness but it also can do a lot of good, because I know animals rescues are always looking for money.
Gayle´s last blog ..What if you could do ANYTHING?
If I could do anything, I don’t know whether to be excited or scared. I mean, given this situation, we could definitely be successful at anything we choose to do and that poses a lot of possibilities.
I believe it helps to focus on what we really have passion for, or at least take them on one at a time.
If I could do anything, I would build my own restaurant where everyone could enjoy good food and hang out, make great movies like the kind I (and hopefully many people) like to watch, and learn to play the guitar and start my own rock band – all while helping out as many people as much as I can. 
P.S. Check out http://www.makemorelivemoregivemore.com for more ideas on how to find your passion and gain success this 2010.
Teresa´s last blog ..Resolutions Solutions
I actually love my job as a chemistry teacher – I would just like to control my hours more and what I teach. I dislike having to follow a curriculum and comply with rules and standards and such. I think teaching would be much more fun if I could just teach what I think is important.
Since I like to teach, to give advice – basically have people do what I tell them to do – maybe I would be happier teaching courses that people take in their own time, instead of required high school material. You know, I just thought of that while writing this!