By Beronda L. Montgomery
I have a vision for the work I can do, want to do, and believe the world needs me to do. I have actively crafted my “day job” into more and more of “the dream” every chance and opportunity that I get. I’ve even developed a way to measure the impact of my work, which I call my B-Index.
However, at the moment, this vision is not fully realized in my full-time paying job.
There is a lot of work that I can do, and do very well.
There is also a wide range of work that I want to do. Some tasks align with my skills and abilities, while others simply bring me joy and contribute to my overall wellbeing.
Additionally, I believe there is work that the world needs me to do. In that regard, I’m special (aren’t we all?! – That’s what the fortunate among us are told by our mothers at least). Yet, I believe that to be true of each of us! I genuinely believe that there’s a place that our gifts, passions, abilities align with the needs of the universe – as well as our places of vocation and places of living.
Freedom dreaming
I find myself drawn to the concept of freedom dreaming, particularly within the Black radical tradition, as described by Robin D.G. Kelley in his book “Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination.” It takes me to the intersection of what I can do, what I want to do, and what the world needs me to do.
The challenge of misaligned requests
What often confuses and frustrates me is that many requests for my involvement focus solely on what I can do without considering my true desires or aligning with what is needed of me. Engaging in such work can lead to a lack of fulfillment and eventual burnout.
Similarly, I receive frequent requests to address what the world needs from me, regardless of my interest or commitment to those tasks. I have previously discussed the limitations that arise within institutional settings in relation to these phenomena, in my article, “The limits of institutional imagination.”
I am also invited – mostly from individuals outside my “home” institution – to do work at the intersection of what I “can do” and what “the world needs me to do.” While my contributions in this space can be extremely valuable, these projects are not necessarily aligned with my passions. As a result, they primarily take the form of paid consulting work.
The value of intersectional work
Where I (indeed many of us) love to exist is in the intersection of work I “want” to do and work that the world “needs” me to do. This is where motivation and passion thrive. It is deeply satisfying and affirming to offer contributions that align with both my desires and the needs of the community. However, I have often found that my definition of what is needed differs from what institutions and their leaders perceive as necessary.
In these cases, efforts within this intersection can be overlooked or, worse, seen as distractions from expected actions and progress. Examples of such work include growth-based mentoring (both preparative and restorative), service, and certain aspects of leadership. While critical to the functioning of institutions and professional spaces, these areas are not always recognized by traditional metrics of success and advancement.
Striving for full-time freedom dreaming
For me, the ultimate full-time work lies at the intersection of what I can do (I possess the basic capabilities), what I want to do (driven by passion and mission), and what is truly needed (both acknowledged and unacknowledged critical needs). This overlap represents the embodiment of my freedom dreaming.
A recent example of this work is my book, “Lessons from Plants,” where I draw on my expertise in plants, mentoring, and leadership to engage in conversations with a broader humanity and encourage personal growth. Without a personal commitment to work that supports my freedom dream NOW, this project would have been postponed until retirement.
Even though most paying full-time jobs in academia for me sit outside the center of my freedom dreaming Venn diagram, I have learned to advocate for aspects of my formal work to encompass my freedom dreams. I continue to plan and strive for a future space where I can fully exist within the realm of freedom dreaming as my life-sustaining vocation, whether in academia, academic adjacent, or beyond.
Actualizing the dream
I know that I am closer today than I was yesterday to actualizing that dream. It starts with being clear about my vision. Then I regularly reflect on it and am willing to be vulnerable and brave enough to openly share it. By doing so, I hope to attract opportunities that further develop and bring my vision into existence.
As with all the work I do, I’m not just focused on making such work possible for myself. I’m deeply committed to creating an environment where others can pursue their own dreams. I believe in work and leadership that facilitates this kind of empowerment for everyone.
Now I invite you to reflect on your own journey. What work can you do? What work do you want to do? What work does the world need you to do? And most importantly, how are you actively working towards actualizing that vision?
I would love to engage in a conversation with you about it. You can find me sharing my thoughts on Twitter @BerondaM, and I’m eager to hear about your dreams and aspirations as well.
Remember, finding fulfillment and purpose in our work is not only about what we can do or what the world demands of us. It’s about embracing our passions, pursuing our unique contributions, and aligning them with the needs of our communities. By doing so, we can create a meaningful impact and make a difference in the world while also nurturing our own wellbeing and personal growth.
* The original version of this article was published at Beronda L. Montgomery: Living my purpose in multiple domains and cherishing every moment
Image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay