My Drive & Purpose.

Photo by Victoria Lewis on Film / Shot at Uptown Shots

Two weeks ago, my application to run the 2021 Chicago Marathon was accepted (YAY!), and like any big commitment, it has thrown my existing routine out the door and having to restart a completely new routine. While the routine is familiar, it’s been overwhelming in the context of post-2020 as it’s another life and schedule restructuring after not yet fully gaining control of my schedule.

The outpouring of love from my friends, family and community has been awesome. Everyone’s encouraging words really do keep me going. But for some reason, this particular race has put me in a mental overdrive of why do I do this and why do you all care so much? I low-key think most of ya’ll take pleasure in seeing me wear myself out physically...lol. I kid, I kid.

With the Chicago Marathon announcement, the message I got the most was something like “how do you do IT?” It’s not the literal, “how do you run a business?” “how do you run a marathon?” The “it” is like people wanting the answer of how I operate, what magical source of energy am I drinking from. Back in my corporate job, I literally had one of my team members seriously ask me if I was on or took drugs, because they couldn’t comprehend how I was always so energetic, focused, yet calm and beyond happy.

All of this has me thinking about my “it” and my “why”  a lot lately. So I thought I’d share what I’ve been mentally unpacking on my runs.

I operate from place of clear purpose and intention. Throughout my life, I had to create the shell of the person I wish I could have seen on TV, in my community, in school growing up. I always challenged the standard timeline and expectations of a woman. I believe I had more to offer than just get a job, get married and be a vessel for a child. I was always too much for most people because I literally marched to the beat of my own drum, yet one thing I never did was silence my inner savage nor aim to please every one. What I did instead was I decided I would create this woman in my head and I told myself I would be HER. Beautiful, strong, brave, driven, smart, compassionate, athletic, silly, vulgar, business savvy, fun, life of the party - I could be ALL of it. I would stop at nothing to bring HER to life. She would be happy, thriving, driven AF, totally OK being alone, but fulfilled if she found someone who understood her fully and supported her.

But the difference with HER was that I never wanted to be that woman that tore other women down to rise. Growing up, I was on the receiving end of some really mean things. I was used and taken advantage of and I never liked that feeling. While I have really strong boundaries, I’m generally really giving of my time and network. I genuinely expect nothing in return. As I continue to grow and evolve, I realize I want to share everything so that other women can see the power is already inside all of us, but some times it just takes a while to find our own inner savages. There’s no secret to my drive, other than I fully believe in myself and I trust myself to figure it as I go. If I fall sometimes, it’s OK, it’s called growth. There’s no secret to my life. It’s not waiting for the right time, waiting until I’m in the mood, manifesting something, waiting for my astrological stars to be in alignment, etc. It’s literally, create the life you want, NOW. No excuses, sheer drive, planning, consistency and more planning.

I also genuinely wake up with so much energy every day. It definitely annoys the heck out of my husband. I’m so happy and grateful to see another day and make magic. Everyday I wake up telling myself, “you’re a savage so go on beast mode.” I attack every day with insane tenacity. I don’t know where it comes from, but I just think when you have clear purpose, intention and vision for your life, you genuinely want to live it out to the fullest. My daily schedule, which I only show a small portion of it on social, to the outside world is exhausting. Yet, for me, I just have so many ideas of things I want to do for myself, my business, my clients, I just don’t have enough money or resources to do it all. We all have enough time to do what we want to do and I never want to waste a minute. Now, resting is just as important and I do get my rest and take mental health days. I just have an insatiable drive where I truly operate from a place of gratitude every day. Especially after 2020, I am grateful for my health, my life and support system. I will not take it for granted. 

So if you’re wondering “Well Lissette, how can I build off of this?” Just ask yourself the tried and true question - What would you do if money wasn’t an issue? Here is my genuine answer.

I’d help women, connect with women, give back what I know so that women understand the innate power within themselves. How that will come to life? I don’t know yet, but I have my business with female entrepreneurs and talent, I hire women, I have a community of women on social, and now I have this blog. I will amplify my story and champion women at every touch point of my life.