What do you think of when you hear, “FREEDOM?”

We’re going to dive into that question today so you can understand what freedom means to you and live your calling in life.

What is Freedom?

Freedom to me may not necessarily be the same as what freedom looks like to you, and that’s okay because everybody has their own desires and calling in life.

To me, it means I can go where I want, when I want, with whom I want. In order for me to really live this way, I needed to work for myself. 

But that’s not the case for everybody and I don’t believe in the gurus who say everybody should quit their 9-5 and own their own business. 

That’s bull because not everybody wants to or is really even cut out to handle the amount of stress and uncertainty that comes with being an entrepreneur.

For me though, I needed out of my job. It even got so bad that on Sunday nights I’d get physically ill because I hated going back to work on Monday morning.

Fulfilling Your Calling

But that's when I realized it was because I wasn't fulfilling the calling I had in me. 

I knew there was something more for me out there and every day I stayed stuck managing the waste management drivers and driving trucks, I hated it more and more. 

On top of that, it seemed like we were always shorthanded. I was always pulling double-duty, and I didn’t have any freedom. 

So finally, I did what I needed to do. I quit. … And SIX MONTHS later, I finally stopped working for them!

That’s right. It took me six months because I felt so bad leaving. I told them I’d stick around so they could get their ducks in a row and then when they did, I finally left. 

Surprisingly, once I got outta there, I loved Mondays! Now I get excited because I’m living my life around what I value most. 

What about you? 

Can you identify the things that you most value in life and build your life around that rather than around what society says you need to do, or your family says you need to do, or your mom, or your dad, or your wife, or your husband?

You have a calling. Follow that calling.

Freedom and Responsibility

Now, that doesn’t mean it’s all fun and games. With that kind of freedom comes massive responsibility.

You’ve gotta be committed. You’ve gotta go hard, every day. You may not even sleep some nights! 

I remember the first office we had - which happened to be in my house. We ran the whole operation with Wes takin’ Zoom calls next to my dogs on the couch snoring the whole time, and the neighbors wondering why there were tons of cars in the driveway and semi trucks pullin’ in and out of the garage! 

Eventually though we had to move to a warehouse. And when we finally found the spot we’re in now, there was excitement, and freedom but also an even heavier feeling of responsibility. 

See, when you're an entrepreneur, freedom and responsibility are connected like twins. You really can’t have one without the other or you won’t be successful. 

But I wouldn't change it for the world. I love the freedom and ability to do what I want when I want and that includes living my calling and focusing on what I value most!

Homework

What does freedom look like for you? This is your homework. I want you to write three things down, all related to freedom, then let me know what they are when you tag me in a post on social media @kosmounfiltered. 

Don't forget to join us for our next episode, which is all about family.