Okay, I’ll admit it—I was never a huge Gaga fan. (Believe it or not, I’m a bit too old for electropop.) But I was genuinely moved by her backstage confession. Check out the video here. I promise it’ll be 3 minutes well spent.
Gaga’s confession is a powerful example of a person rocking their life in the face of roadblocks and limiting beliefs: “Sometimes I still feel like people are trying to destroy me,” she says, wiping tears and mascara off her cheek.
“What are you going to teach them [the audience] tonight?” Somebody asks off camera.
“That I cannot be destroyed…and I will not be destroyed.” She replies, sniffling but strong and this strength grows as she speaks about her deep passion for her work. This woman loves what she does and she has fought hard to fashion a career that reflects her authentic self, making a fan of me, electropop or not.
Maybe because I am a life coach in NYC—the city of dreams—I’m a sucker for people who love what they do. I’ve been taking Argentine tango classes with Carlos Cañedo of The Tango Company and at the end of the session he often tells the group, “Thank you for allowing me to make a living doing what I love.” Hearing these words is just as moving as watching Gaga’s tear-filled passion prayer. When someone is tapped into their purpose, it shows. And it’s a beautiful sight.
Carlos Cañedo performing with Leah Barsky
©Hiroyuki Ito for The New York Times
Dancing with Carlos doesn’t only inspire me, it also reminds me how important it is to stay connected to my body—the best way to stay connected to my inner guidance. Our bodies are like antennas for intuition. When I’m dancing, I feel energized and empowered to express my passions more fully like Carlos and Gaga have. If you’re struggling to find your direction, I urge you to stay in your body and out of your head. It’s your head, after all, that bites back with limiting beliefs every time you begin to tune into that higher frequency, telling you, “I can’t make money with that” or “It’s too late to follow my heart.”
Sure, you may not be able to immediately transform your passion into a business, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, anyway. Doing what you love connects you to your source, your spirit, your higher intelligence. The joy and excitement you produce when living purposefully will propel you forward, maybe even closer to living your dreams full-time. “When we were playing for nothing downtown… we still felt like we were superstars.” Gaga recalls. And, while I don’t envision myself as a professional tango dancer, my weekly baile makes me feel like a superstar, too.
Oftentimes, we put fun at the bottom of our “To Do” lists, letting that nagging inner voice talk us out of it, ultimately “destroying” us, as Gaga put it. I have a client who feels like a superstar when she’s jogging in nature, though she rarely puts on her kicks and heads for the great outdoors.
“I’m trying to start a business.” She says. “I shouldn’t waste daylight hours on jogging and playtime. It feels wrong.”
So, most of the time she stays cooped up inside, chained to her computer doing research. (Actually, it’s more like surfing online.) Meanwhile, a superstar is fading. (Don’t worry! Together we’re working to save her sparkle.)
You can sparkle, too. Be bold. Burn bright.
Doing what you love deserves to be at the top of your “To Do” list, whether or not it’s a moneymaker. Actually, when you stop obsessing over making every last dollar and start making peace with who you are, opening yourself up to the abundance within you, I guarantee you will reap what you sow. Look at Gaga! Just a few years ago she was playing free shows in dingy dives just for the love of it. Now she’s selling out at Madison Square Garden.
I’m all about her song “Born This Way” because it speaks to just this—there are no right or wrong decisions when you’re living your purpose, simply paths that lead you to moments of greater clarity and perspective.
I’m beautiful in my way
‘Cause God makes no mistakes
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don’t be afraid to sing along and live the lyrics out loud. Trust your body, go with your gut, and do what you love—every day. And be prepared to fight for your passions. (Remember, even “superstars” like Gaga must consistently battle their inner critics.) Fulfilling your destiny may need some discipline along the way, but I can guarantee you won’t lack for excitement. Hey—what good is finding your purpose if life is boring?
And if you need somebody to remind you of your vision and hold you accountable—hire moi! I double as a life coach/superstar roadie. 
p.s. Have we spoken 1-on-1 yet? Click here to book your free strategy session.
I’m all for putting fun right at the top of my to do list. But I’m a hedonist and pleasure seeker by nature. I saw a google interview with gaga recently after Bern posted it. I watched the video ( over 1 hour), and I too was blown away but her commitment, and belief in what she does
Now that I’m back in the world and out of codeland, I have to go check out Bern’s videos! (I’m addicted…) So, what’s at the TOP of your hedonistic list of fun?
A return to Bali.. on a 1 way ticket…is #1 on the list, lol
My other half has other plans that involve bricks and mortar first…so ho hummm, I can dream I guess!
Oh, Bali, Bali, Bali…must stop looking at Google images and keep working
Hi Annie,
How are you doing on your sacadas, colgadas and boleos?
Tango can be fun. And finding life’s purpose can be exhausting;)
I’d rather tango…just kidding.
Actually I know many people that made tango their purpose.
Well, you just got me started on tango, I better check GaGa vids;)
Have a rocking day;)
Derek
Hi Derek!
I am a total newbie in Argentine Tango! Maybe you can teach me a few moves
Luckily my teacher is super patient, which made a world of difference.
I guess Tango can be more fun because you always have someone to dance with, while finding life purpose is an inside job. You just have to be honest with yourself and do it alone, baby!
This is a powerful video. I agree, doing what you love is best to be at “The number 1″ of the TO-Do List.
Excellent post, with great points on self validation.
So glad you liked it! What’s on your list?
Hi Annie,
That’s a very powerful video; it really get you pumped up. Taking a chance, being creative or doing something new are experiences that are fun for me.
Riley
Hi Riely,
I am with you. Learning new things makes life exciting! “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” ~Pablo Picasso