Lightworker Syndrome (Blog)

[Dating Specialist]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

Isn't it better for me to be paid to do what I'm here to do, to help people? Otherwise I have to be paid to do something I'm NOT here to do, like push papers around a desk and answer phones and help other people achieve their goals. and then I have less time to do what I'm really here to do, which would be a huge disservice to the people I'm here to help.

When we allow ourselves to receive money for the work we're really here to do, we fulfill a mission, and then we can improve our skills to help people more.

Thanks Erin! You really helped me cleared this nagging guilty feeling weighing on my heart for so long!

It's really about the opportunity cost of my time. It's either I get paid for fulfilling my mission and really make a difference to the people whom I like to stretch out to, or I get paid for fulfilling other people's goals!

I took more than 30 years to finally find my purpose and mission, and this want to help is so strong that it's giving me this "bury-my-head-in-the-hole" when it comes to the issue of money.

Thanks again Erin! Hugs!

[I AM]

Originally Posted by quints

All,

How does one come to truly find the confidence to take that leap in the context of a lifetime of self-criticism and doubt? Lack of confidence can keep one from trying, as can fear of failure. That's what I am wrestling with now.

Quints

Hi Quints!

Believe you can, and you can!

I worked for a man many years ago who was unbelievable. This person could not even figure out how to work an intercom. We used to laugh because he would hold down the button and call his secretary, never releasing the button. You could hear him say “May”…, “May”…, “May”… all the while she would be saying “Yes”…, “Yes”…, “Yes”…

His incompetence was enormous. Yet everything he touched turned to gold. He franchised his company, and sold countless businesses at tens of thousands of dollars each.

Do you know what his secret to success was? He didn’t know he should be failing. He believed that he should be making tons of money, and he did!

I believe slightly differently from Steve. I believe the Universe is always giving 110%, so when we make the leap, there is no reason to say the “Universe better be behind me”. It always has been! I also believe that success in anything has nothing to do with faith, hope or wishing, because that intention comes from lack. Success comes down to one thing and one thing only, and that is True Belief. Knowing it is done and you, with the power of the Universe behind you, did it!!



I AM!

P.S. Steve. Thanks for everything. I thoroughly enjoy your website.

[danas]

I just want to say that Ive read this article once again, and its really hitting me now. You are so right! this also explains my relationships situation,( I am 33, what I want now is to start a family, I have many admirers, I am smart and attractive, yet single, I guess I am afraid here too especially after my grandparents, parents and sister are all divorced.) and so many things that are just unfullfilled in my life. I have opportunities knocking on my door constantly, and mostly I dont even pick up the phone(!) because... well i dont know- i guess its the fear of sucsess and responsibilty... then every once in a while I get worried about money, find some low paying job related to my art- and make myself sick from exhaustion.
Well today it was different. I answered those calls, and things started flowing in.... Thank you steve! you really gave me a new outlook!

[KeithHandy]

Originally Posted by awu

I particularly like how Steve mentions the kinds of distractions that steer us away from our purpose - health, financial and relationship problems that keep us running around in little circles.

When I was reading that part I suddenly felt self-conscious, because I was scratching my foot like crazy. I do get too easily distracted by mundane things that "drive me nuts", translation: "give me yet another excuse to drive myself nuts" -- like when a car pulls up near my home with the gangsta rap blasting, and I think I can't tune it out and have to clench my teeth until they leave -- or when I don't like what someone says, and I spend the next four hours playing out responses in my head to come up with the one phrase that would have made them break down and cry on the spot -- or when I give my full attention to a myriad of tiny physical irritations that I would be oblivious to if I was actually doing something. Those are the kinds of things that I have to let flow behind me in my wake.

[spoon]

I just wanted to write this to say thanks for the article on Lightwork Syndrome. It was exactly what I needed. It brought my fear of success right up front where I'll have to deal with it.

[demk]

I've been thinking more about this and I realised this last bit which is a good way to think about it because it makes the decision to accept your greatness easier:

If you have the potential it means you already have the power.

If you have the power it means you already have responsibility.

You can only give up control but not responsibility.

When you give up control you give it up to the ego which is much more irresponsible.

.......

Hope this helps.

[DanielBrenton]

Steve --

Belated kudos on this post and your message. I am (frankly) still digesting it.

I shared it with an old acquaintance of yours, Linda Bown, the Toastmaster that won the Division D Humorous Speech in 2004 -- beating out promising new Toastmaster Steve Pavlina ... I remember the respect you showered on her in your post about that contest.

She called "Lightworker Syndrome" inspired, and a miracle.

Thanks from both of us.

[Greg Butler]

Steve,

I've been reading all of your blog postings and this one was my favorite. It rings so true. We are capable of so, so much more than we ever imagine. We are infinite souls that have a need for infinite expression.

I liked your line to the universe: "and you better back me up."

Congratulations,

Greg

[pranagold]

it is an amazing article. it came to me at the right time in my life....it is truly the "lightworker syndrome". I took two months off a week ago because i was so confused that i couldn't see clearly anymore and came back without a complete answer but knew deep inside of me that i did not want to do whatever i saw doing before and certainly not going back to the corporate world with a 9-5 day job. i am letting everything be OK and accept whatever is coming my way. However, the most challenging part (for me) would be to become financially independent. Your article came at the right time and i see it has a true understanding of lightworkers and certainly has encouraged me to keep on walking....

God bless, aek

[impaul99]

Steve, awesome article. I suffer from this syndrome, although I feel I am in the midst of change. I'm wondering if there are any books or other resources you could recommend that dive into this issue in more detail?

-Paul

[ReallyGoodIdeas]

And this post helped me soprt out my personal life, it's not just about making a living. If you have the power you have the responsibility to use it in all parts of your life. thanks Steve!

[Steve Pavlina]

One book I recently read that partly covers this topic was The Lightworker's Way by Doreen Virtue. The first half of the book is her personal tale, and the second half is more how-to.

[impaul99]

Thanks Steve, I'll check that book out.

I really think this topic is a great one as it's a conflict for so many of us.

[kevinw1]

Well, that article was certainly a kick in the behind

I have been stuck for the last 6 years or so, having to give up sw development because of carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands and messing around doing bits of this and bits of that in an effort to find something to live on that won't damage me more and that is worth doing: and all, I have to admit, things which could never actually make a decent living no matter how well I did them.

So now I'm returning to a plan from several years ago which had to be put on hold due to changed circumstances. And guess what? All the "worthless bits and pieces" contribute substantially to me being able to a far better job now than I would have if I'd done it when I originally thought it up. Nothing is accidental - not even Steve inspiring me to join Toastmasters back in February. It's all your fault, Steve

Kevin

[yoopersmith]

Steve: I really love this post. I think I have Lightworker Syndrome to a certain degree.

I am a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. I am getting close to retirement. For years, I have been thinking "I can't wait until I can retire, so I can do what I WANT TO DO". But, I got real hung up (and I still am) on what to do after I retire. I want to "follow my bliss" like everyone says, but on a day-to-day basis, I am too wiped out by doing my best at being an Air Force guy to have time to take any action on ideas (go back to college, work on business ideas, etc...all the ego excuses) So, instead of beating myself up about it, I am just going to accept that while I'm in the Air Force, I have to be totally committed to it. When I'm done, I will figure out what to do next.

I also wanted to tell a little story about a recent experience. My AF job is running a network "Help Desk" for about 250 users. Usually, I don't get caught up in the drama of all the users calling and asking for help on a Monday morning, but last Monday, I had just returned from leave to find out that most of my helpdesk techs were out of the office for various reasons. So, for all day Monday and Tuesday, I was helping people NONSTOP!!! You might think that this would made me stressed out and frustrated, but it didn't....I was energized! I loved helping everyone, and catching up with everyone after being gone for about 20 days. In the past, before I started changing my beliefs, I would have thought..."wow! that was a bad day!", but now I realized that I LOVED IT.

The point is, I am ON purpose everyday. Helping people. That's it. That's what lightworkers do. They might get paid for it, they might not. I just figured out that it doesn't matter who pays me, or what I wear to work, or if I even have a job. If I am helping people, I am on purpose and the Universe loves it and I do too.

When I retire, I want to help more people. I intend to help as many people as possible, just like you Steve. I will let the Universe figure out the HOW.