Find Your Pond
by Dr. Marci Bryant
Approximately 20 years ago, a colleague of my mine gave me some candid advice straight from his heart, "God has gifted many people in this earth beyond measure, you are one of those people. If the pond that you are in does not allow you to use the gifts that God has placed inside you, then find the pond that will!" Three days later he died. But his words did not die with him. There would be many more who would try to tell me that I needed to do something with my gift, not just let it lie dormant.
Although I heard the words clearly, I didn't understand their truest meaning until so many years later. It would take many more spoken words into my conscious and subconscious mind and many successful and unsuccessful ventures before I would understand those "poignant and well meaning words." I have always loved to impart knowledge to others. So as a profession, I became a teacher, then a trainer and life coach.
Over the years, according to much of the feedback I have received, many have benefited from my teachings, however, I still could not see what so many had tried so desperately to share with me. Why? Part of the reason was that, I was determined to stay in "my comfort zone". I was fearful of venturing outside of it. I wanted all my accomplishments to happen right there, not realizing that I had outgrown that small space a long time ago.
No matter who in your life supports what you do personally, if you want to earn a living or even become known for your expertise, you must venture outside your comfortable place. I have learned that there are many people looking for what you know or have at your disposal. I believe that everyone has at least one thing that they are excellent in and somebody needs it in their circle.
We are born into a family, they will always be family. However, as we grow and discover what we do best, we will find others outside of our families that can and will benefit from what we do, if we make ourselves available to them. I call this "finding your tribe". You can't find them in your back yard or even in the neighborhood. Some of your tribe may not even be in your state. Many of them are outside your immediate boundaries but you won't find them, nor, will they find you if you refuse to leave your comfort zone.
There is a pond outside of your world as you know it, that is just waiting for you to take your place in it. It's time to invest in yourself and look beyond what you see in your immediate sight path. Do some investigative work. Find out who needs your expertise then find a way to let them know you are there. You must stop dreaming your dreams and start acting on your dreams. To find your pond, you must go look for it. People are waiting for YOU!
Approximately 20 years ago, a colleague of my mine gave me some candid advice straight from his heart, "God has gifted many people in this earth beyond measure, you are one of those people. If the pond that you are in does not allow you to use the gifts that God has placed inside you, then find the pond that will!" Three days later he died. But his words did not die with him. There would be many more who would try to tell me that I needed to do something with my gift, not just let it lie dormant.
Although I heard the words clearly, I didn't understand their truest meaning until so many years later. It would take many more spoken words into my conscious and subconscious mind and many successful and unsuccessful ventures before I would understand those "poignant and well meaning words." I have always loved to impart knowledge to others. So as a profession, I became a teacher, then a trainer and life coach.
Over the years, according to much of the feedback I have received, many have benefited from my teachings, however, I still could not see what so many had tried so desperately to share with me. Why? Part of the reason was that, I was determined to stay in "my comfort zone". I was fearful of venturing outside of it. I wanted all my accomplishments to happen right there, not realizing that I had outgrown that small space a long time ago.
No matter who in your life supports what you do personally, if you want to earn a living or even become known for your expertise, you must venture outside your comfortable place. I have learned that there are many people looking for what you know or have at your disposal. I believe that everyone has at least one thing that they are excellent in and somebody needs it in their circle.
We are born into a family, they will always be family. However, as we grow and discover what we do best, we will find others outside of our families that can and will benefit from what we do, if we make ourselves available to them. I call this "finding your tribe". You can't find them in your back yard or even in the neighborhood. Some of your tribe may not even be in your state. Many of them are outside your immediate boundaries but you won't find them, nor, will they find you if you refuse to leave your comfort zone.
There is a pond outside of your world as you know it, that is just waiting for you to take your place in it. It's time to invest in yourself and look beyond what you see in your immediate sight path. Do some investigative work. Find out who needs your expertise then find a way to let them know you are there. You must stop dreaming your dreams and start acting on your dreams. To find your pond, you must go look for it. People are waiting for YOU!