It Is OK to Want More

Do you feel selfish for wanting more? Are you embarrassed for having dreams bigger than you can put on paper? Maybe you are made for more!

I had a great childhood.  I was blessed to grow up in a house with two wonderful parents and two older sisters that had my back.  We had all the things we needed and knew we were loved every single day.  I felt supported and encouraged in all of my crazy endeavors.  My parents provided a debt-free college education for all three of us.  The five of us still support, encourage and love each other fiercely.

I also had a successful career in software.  Sure, it had its ups and downs… I have been “downsized” and unemployed eating Ramen noodles, as well as been in charge of huge teams and massive projects.  I worked hard and was financially rewarded for my work.  I had some AWESOME employers and some really crappy ones, too.  I’ve been a speaker on stage and in-line at the unemployment office.

I found an amazing man who wanted to marry me and we have a beautiful daughter. 

I am very blessed.

Why do I tell you this?

Well, to be honest.  I am telling you this because I want you to know that no matter WHAT your life looks like (or what your past is), it is 100% ok to want more.  It is ok to be grateful for all that you have and yet, still yearn for more.

For years I listened to awe inspiring stories of incredible men and women that overcame horrible childhoods and heart-breaking traumas, then they used these events in their lives to propel them into massive life changing action.  They used all the crap from their past to drive them to do incredible things with their future and help as many people as possible along the way.

I felt guilty.  I felt guilty for yearning for more.  I had so much goodness in my life that I felt like there was something wrong with me that I was not content where I was. 

I felt selfish for wanting more.  I felt embarrassed for having dreams bigger than I could put on paper.  Why couldn’t I just be content?  Sure I was happy.  Absolutely I was grateful.  But, I was not content.

One day, I saw the title of a movie “Made for More.”  Those 3 words hit me like a ton of bricks.  Yes.  This.  I KNEW I was made for more.  I knew I could do more, be more, help more, serve more.  I knew I could do more for myself that could in turn allow me to do more for others.  THAT was the day I realized that it was 100% ok for me to say I was not content.  It was absolutely ok that I was living in a state of gratitude and happiness but still wanted MORE.

Guess what friends?  Creating goals for YOU is not selfish.  It does not mean that you don’t love your friends, family and job.  It does not make you a bad mom, wife, friend or employee.

But, dreaming big and creating goals for yourself is just the first step. You have to actually prioritize the time in your life to jump into action.  Again, cue the guilt.  Saying “no” to others so you can create space for YOU is hard at first.  We let guilt creep in.  But, you absolutely HAVE to prioritize the time you need to fill YOUR cup.  If you are not pursuing your dreams and passions, you will not be the best “you” that you can be. 

Asking for help or saying “no” to something today so you can work on your goals is a win / win for everyone.  Why?  When you are doing things that fill you up…when you are prioritizing time for you…then you will be happier.  You will feel more content and you’ll be the best you that you can be.  Then, when you are with others, they can enjoy YOU even more.

So, long story short… when you are content, everyone wins.  If you are already there, I’m sending a huge virtual high five to you! If you are not, it is OK to admit it.  It is not selfish.  There is not something wrong with you.  Perhaps you were made for more.  Go get it!