What Pema Chödrön Said

I'm going to be honest. I was raised to believe someone would come save me. Primarily, through religion. But second to that, through marriage. Neither version turned out the way I expected.

I know those have been powerful sources of comfort and meaning for many people I love. But they haven’t been the way through, for me.

I still believe in something greater—a higher power, the universe, a sense of meaning.
And I definitely believe in the power of relationships and community. I've just stopped waiting for the rescue.

About ten years ago, I was listening to a talk by Pema Chödrön. She said something that shocked me at the time:

"No one is coming to save you. Give up hope."

Back then, I thought it was blasphemous. It felt audacious and unbelievable.

But lately, life has been calling me back to that lesson. I've been reminded again: no one is coming to save me.

What does this have to do with business? When it comes to your career—whether you're working for someone else or yourself—if you're not happy with where you're at (the purpose, income, environment, population, colleagues, whatever it may be), no one is going to swoop in and fix it for you.

It's not going to magically change on its own. It's up to you. I don’t know about you, but I find that painful…and true. And in the truth, there’s some relief.

I’ve been wanting more clients in my private practice, but not wanting to be vulnerable and market it. No one is coming to save my business. I just need to market.

The same is true for you. You (and only you) can make the changes that move your work into alignment with your purpose. And not to get too existential or spiritual in a business email, but I really do think that’s part of why we’re here—to do the work that only we can do.

I hope this doesn’t rub you the wrong way. Mostly, I hope it gives you the gentle nudge toward the next good thing.