Are You Following The Breadcrumbs Being Laid Out For You?
It’s still early days for me since being made redundant. Although I still have no fixed plan, and I’m still uncertain of which path I’m going to take to generate an income, something deep inside of me is telling me that this is the best thing to ever happen to me. Lots of other people are telling me that too but nothing is as powerful as the feeling within me.
Keeping that in mind, have you ever felt that there are signs or markers pointing you in a certain direction? How often to you pay attention to that inner/outer guidance or intuition? There are breadcrumbs being left for us but most never follow the trail.
So many follow their head instead of their heart. When I say that I mean that people literally do what they think they should be doing rather than what they know deep down to be right for them. It’s the result of being told what to think rather than how to think over years of poor guidance and education.
Since the whole process of being made redundant began for me, certain things have been cropping up over and over again. I have been seeing signs everywhere gently nudging me in a few particular directions; particularly towards my strengths.
There are two very strong ones, and even though both of them have yet to amount to anything, they have offered me something which, during this time, is priceless. They offered me hope! When you’re in the worst of places hope is the bridge the gets you from one side to the other.
There is a powerful word that describes this trail of breadcrumbs and it is synchronicity. I had two such events recently.
The first was when I first found out the possibility that I was going to be made redundant from work. At the first meeting when they asked me what I would like to instead of being a network analyst, I responded “social media manager”. I had no idea that roles like that existed. To be honest, I’d just made that up. I explained to them that I was good with social media technologies and SEO. They said that no such roles existed within the company.
After a few days I received a few pieces of junk mail that also started pointing me in that direction. You might think the junk mail was worthless but it was giving several ideas and expanding my mind and opening my mind to what was possible.
Then I had a look on some job websites and saw that there were actually positions for Social Media Managers. It wasn’t necessarily the path I was going to take but it provided me with a fresh option to be explored.
The second was to do with radio. Some years ago I’d heard that a particular station was recruiting for presenters. That memory surfaced recently for some bizarre reason and I started to wonder if that station was recruiting again. Within the space of a day I’d had three people tell me that the station in question was recruiting. I had not told anyone that I’d had that specific thought. They had told me and go in touch me through their own volition after hearing about it.
Being totally honest, none of those have amounted to anything yet but, they did provide me with a combination of hope and options. The two provided me with a feeling that I had more options open to me than I’d previously thought. The very idea behind them was opening new doors to me.
I know of people who’ve been in, and are in, the same situation as me. I can say to you and them that there are unexplored options there. Listen to the guidance and spot the breadcrumbs. Follow them because you never know where they may lead.
Yes, they may not always bear fruit, but at least you can look back with your head held high and say you tried; that you gave it your best shot! Would you not rather that be the case then looking back and wondering what might have been had you explored certain options?
Start following the breadcrumbs.
That’s the way to go Amit!
If you keep your mind open, I believe you will find all sort of options to do cool stuff and make money out of it. And with the rise of the internet, the process of globalization, it’s getting better and better for those who have something to offer. I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged, and my head is spinning with this concept of the productive person, with real skills and real value to provide.
Thanks Eduard! What’s Atlas Shrugged?
Amit,
I am sure other doors will open up and you will find new opportunities. You can always be a pro-blogger who makes enough money from his blog that you may never need to find a traditional job. Possibilities are there.
Until that vision comes to fruition, you can sure use a breather and vacation from working that long. Enjoy your life and things will follow.
Smart suggestions there Preeti…did you follow any breadcrumbs to get to where you are now?
Amit,
It may sound corny but I realized I have enough and stopped looking for breadcrumbs, really.
Atlas Shurgged that Eduard mentioned is a book by Ann Rynd, when it was published got so much negative reviews but since than it has risen above and become quite an classic! She too also wrote her pen name as real name was/is Alisa Rosenbaum. I am quite a book buff so I got carried out here 🙂 I am sure Eduard will correct me if I am wrong.
Hey Preeti, if you are where you choose to be the wonderful, no more breadcrumbs to follow! 🙂
You go ahead and tell it like it is!…and you know what else? When you take all the rules and barriers out of your mind that’s when you realise that you could have been YOURSELF way back when instead of following the crowd like lost sheep! Also, we humans only use 30% of the total capacity of our brain, (yep, we dumb!) – that’s probably why it’s a common human trait to compromise on our individuality. Maybe the breadcrumbs need to be bigger! : )
As for you bro, you’re seeing the signs and taking the opportunities, that’s positive in itself! Along the journey you will find something that excites you and it doesn’t necessarily have to be the destination if you get my drift! You should be partying because you have found the time to focus on YOU! (Recommended reading for your current situtation – Do You! by Russell Simmons. Check it out!)
I will definitely check out that book by Russell, I’ve never heard of it before but I hear that he is quite wise!
Amit: What a great message. I think we really always do need to make certain that we are following the bread crumbs and listening to the things that are put in our path and field of vision. We may not always understand in the beginning all the reasons why, but if we continually explore things, we will most certainly end up with answers and be exactly where we need to and should be. It is easy to fall into the trap of doubting this reality, but the more we become accustomed to following the breadcrumbs, the better and better we get at it. And, I honestly admire you for following yours. There always is a reason. Thanks for that pointer in the right direction.
Thank you Sibyl and nice point that we get better at it. It’s true that the more we trust in it, the louder that voice and guidance becomes.
Hi Amit. This post is synchronicity for me for I am in a similar position to you. It is absolutely fantastic that you’re getting signs and that you are so open to them. We have to be open first to see them, right, so thats such a great thing. Am sure with your spirit you will follow the bread crumbs to greater learning and the success that is meants for you. All the best!!
Hey Uzma, what’s your situation? Feel free to share. Synchronicity is a wonderful thing and gives you that warm feeling inside. Thank so much for your wishes!
I’ve been in the same position many times and I’ve come to realize that the signs are always there. Sometimes you just have to look up to see them. Those spooky coincidental ones, however, have to be taken at exactly what they are: big, giant vegas style signs with you as the main attraction.
Good luck with your endeavors, too! I have no doubt they will work out for you.
Thanks Johnny, always glad to hear from people who’ve been in the same situation and to find out what they’ve done. I’m glad to be able to learn from others too.
Hi Amit,
It is impossible to predict exactly how it will happen… it is easy to predict that you will have a great breakthrough. Attitude is everything and you can’t lose with yours. My advice to you is to begin creating a crystal clear vision of exactly what you want and begin acting as though it is already so. Let the bread crumbs help you create a felt-vision of exactly what you want.
Thank you for the awesome tips Rob.
I had a similar experience when I was in college. I had no idea what type of work that I would like to do or even be good at. I knew I enjoyed writing and personal finance. The “crumbs” started to fall in front of me and through a bunch of bad circumstances (pyrimid schemes) I was able to get to my dream job. It was not easy following the crumbs. I was forced to learn through experience the ups and downs of the industry in which I now work. I want to encourage you to keep following the crumbs and I love this post. Now to get me to follow them to where they are leading me next is the challenge but I thank you for the insight.
Hey Frank. Awesome story and it’s good to share about your ups and downs. I think that people can get the impression that all goes well all of the time. But that’s not true and it hasn’t always been the case in my life. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs and I believe that is it those events that made the end result that much sweeter.
I noticed that the breadcrumbs that always appeared for me over the years where related to what I was focussing on. What I wanted.
The more attention I paid the more I saw. Truly decide what you want and then start walking in the direction with your eyes open.
Inspiring thoughts Jarrod and thank you so much for sharing.
I feel as though I am in this situation now, career wise i know which area i want to go into but its i guess uncertainty which makes me fall back, and i still feel as though i need to learn a little more about the area so i can be completely confident in my decisions.
At times, my head and heart seem to conflict with each other in making a decision, my head seems to be more rational telling me that I need security in a job and stability, but my heart seems to go with my feelings and ambitions of what i want out of life! i think trusting the unknown can be a little scary because I am so used to having predictability, and stability in my life but letting go of the control is something i think i need to get used to…
It’s never an easy step to make, brave are those that take the path of uncertainty but prudent and clever are those that have a backup plan! LOL it’s good to have strategy in place in case things don’t go your way and I find that those who do are generally the most successful.