Just because you can doesn’t mean you should …

I know a fellow who succeeds at most anything he tries.

You’ve probably known people like this as well. Those people with a mix of gifts, talents, skills, and motivation that they just seem to distinguish themselves at whatever they apply themselves to trying.

I recently had a conversation with that fellow I know who is like this. Over the last few years he made a mark for himself working at Starbucks where he quickly became a store manager and accomplished that work to such a degree the company took notice of him. They promoted him to a temporary district-level position where he continued to succeed, and when that job was completed, they gave him the manager position at one of their “difficult” stores, trusting he would make the much needed improvements.

There was no question this fellow could have a long, steadily rising career with the coffee behemoth … but just one problem. This fellow realized that, while he was good at the challenges the company offered him, the world of coffee wasn’t his passion.

Music is.

Having gained clarity about what is important to him, he has stepped down from a management position, re-enrolled in college courses, and with a couple of like-minded friends, is now pursuing a new dream of some day opening a venue for the arts, and the instruction in them. My friend understands he likely won’t have the same earning potential he would if he continued on his path of success with his current employer, but he’s come to realize that just because he can succeed at what he’s doing doesn’t mean this is what he should be successful at.

I’ve known and counseled many people who were succeeding at something they had no passion for; the difference between them and my friend serving up coffee is that my friend has the courage to pursue his passion, even at a real potential cost to himself.

Well, that is, if you only measure his future in terms of dollars and cents.

Sometimes, doing what pays the most isn’t what brings the greatest fulfillment or makes the greatest contribution.

That’s why I have often encouraged people to face their fears and make a change from what they were currently doing to what God has blessed them with talent to do, that which they have a natural passion for, which is usually also the place they would make their best contribution to this world.

Not everyone can just give notice today to leave their responsible jobs to pursue a dream, but many times life is better for all involved when we have the courage to pay some costs to pursue something we really should be doing with the gifts and talents God has given us. Sometimes we need to act now to change things, other times we first need to craft a plan for a new adventure. But one thing is for sure — just because you can succeed at something doesn’t necessarily mean you should.

Are you doing what comes easily for you, or are you doing what you should?

Scotty