I’m listening to David Grohl’s audio book, ‘The Storyteller’, which I highly recommend. The legendary drummer from Nirvana and the Foo Fighters is indeed a gifted storyteller, thus the clever title.
In one particular story, Grohl talks about being asked to stand in for the drummer of The Heartbreakers, Tom Petty’s band, and this gig was to be as guest musicians on Saturday Night Live, Groh’s favorite TV show. At that time, Nirvana was not active, and the Foos weren’t yet in existence. Needless to say, the timing was right. Grohl was overwhelmed by the invitation, and of course, he accepted.
After the show, Petty asked Grohl to play with them again for several show dates. While honored, as Grohl considered this opportunity, he had a realization that set him on the next phase of his storied musical career. Yes, certainly he could accept the gig and go on to play with one of the most iconic rock bands of the last 50 years. Yes, he could revel in the experience of playing some of the most iconic songs of the last 50 years- ‘American Girl’, ‘Breakdown’, ‘Refugee’, and so many others.
But those songs weren’t his songs, those words weren’t his words- this wasn’t HIS gig. Grohl realized he had a different calling- one that only he could fill. So he declined the invitation and went on to form the Foo Fighters.
What’s the lesson here? It’s to pay attention to that still, small inner prompt that is calling you to find your own voice, to step fully into that career, that mission, that passion that only you can fill.
When I made the transition from being an Officer/Executive in the retail world after 3 decades and stepped into my current role as a Mindset Expert/Executive Leadership Coach, I remember my own Coach saying to me, “Deb, yours is the ONLY voice some people can hear. And if you don’t embrace your calling as a Coach, they will never be impacted by anyone. They need YOU.”
That’s sobering. And those wise words helped to solidify and focus my coaching commitment to an even greater degree.
So if you are battling with competing voices, priorities, questions about what you’re currently doing with your life, consider this.
Your gifts, talents, skills, and abilities were not given to you for your own benefit. They were given to you so that you can positively impact the lives of others. And if that statement creates a reaction in you, I invite you to be curious about that response.
Because, like David Grohl’s Tom Petty experience, perhaps your current gig isn’t really yours, either.
Remember, you get to choose.
