Following Childhood Dreams

When I was a little girl, I watched The Carol Burnett Show. With every skit, I wished with all of my heart that I could do what those hilarious, amazing, delightful creatures could do. In fact, at a very early age I would do impressions to make my family bust out in laughter. Comedy was in my DNA.

But I was also a Brainiac. I relegated my love of comedy to the back burner, instead opting to feed the bad@ss businesswoman within. (I also deeply resonated with Tess McGill of Working Girl!) I climbed the corporate ladder, became a sought-after management consultant, and eventually migrated into professional keynote speaking.

Last month I decided to take the plunge and dive head-first into stand-up comedy. From the very first moment onstage, I KNEW I had found my home-away-from-home. It was thrilling, electrifying, and utterly addicting.

I have no plans to ditch my day job as a keynote speaker, but I do plan on incorporating even more humor into my programs and do regular stand-up in my hometown of Minneapolis. When you find something you are naturally gifted at and lights up your soul, you follow it. It’s not a choice. It’s a passion.

What is your passion? Where is your happy place? What gifts can you offer the world?