Are You Driven? Or Are You Given?
Are You Driven? Or Are You Given?
In our fast-paced, goal-oriented world, it’s easy to get caught up in the relentless pursuit of improvement and change. We may find ourselves driven by a Being Driven, change, or do better or bigger, constantly pushing ourselves to achieve more and more and more. Sound familiar? This approach can lead to burnout, dissatisfaction, and a never-ending cycle of striving for what I call the next carrot. If you aren’t familiar with the donkey and the carrot story, the cliff note version is the carrot was dangling in front of the donkey, but always remained just out of its reach as the cart kept moving forward….Most people, especially high performers, get caught up in the “Next carrot syndrome”
In contrast, the Being Given given by a vision or a purpose bigger than yourself, your circumstances or your default goals, is a more natural and FLOW LIKE way of living. It involves allowing ourselves to be guided by a vision that pulls forth our actions naturally rather than pushing us to do more and more with no end in sight. When we are in the Being Given given by a vision, we are not driven by a Being Driven or change, but rather by a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Key Differences
- Being Driven: Focuses on what’s wrong and needs to be changed.
- Being Given: Focuses on what inspired you and what brings joy and fulfillment.
- Being Driven: Driven by fear and anxiety about not being good enough.
- Being Given: Given by love and compassion for ourselves and others.
- Being Driven: Leads to burnout, dissatisfaction, and a never-ending cycle of striving.
- Being Given: Leads to balance, harmony, and a deep sense of peace and contentment.
How to Shift from Being Driven to Being Given
- Practice awareness: Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions without judgment.
- Clarify and connect with your vision: Instead of focusing on what you want to achieve, focus on the qualities you want to embody and the experiences you want to create.
- Surround yourself with positive and supportive people: Create a community of people who are aware of your vision and GAME ON to support you to fulfill it. Give them permission to alert you when they see you being driven vs being given. .
The Being Given is a journey, not a destination. It takes deliberate practice to shift from a Being Driven to a Being Given. But the rewards are well worth it: a life filled with more joy, peace, and fulfillment and FLOW.
Email me and let me know what you discover from taking on this practice.