I don’t really need to stand out, there’s room for everyone. Although I haven’t built a niche yet, I’m just writing love songs.
~Adele
niche
noun
1. a comfortable or suitable position in life or employment.”He is now a partner at a leading law firm and feels he has found his niche.”
I have been reflecting on recent conversations that have taken me to a new level of awareness and curiosity. The moments where I am invited to think outside of my comfort zone or dive deeper where I find my growing edges. It is uncomfortable, glass-shattering, and invigorating in the same breath.
The subject matter is irrelevant; it’s more about their authentic delivery and depth of knowledge. These are people who have found their passion and have a deep resolve to live their lives out loud. They have a calling that drives their ideas and actions into a space that makes a difference for others and for themselves.
It seems like some naturally find their passion early on in their lives, others may study and transform and some just fall into this magical space later in life of knowing where their heart beats. It doesn’t matter how you get there – but don’t we all want to get there eventually? Don’t we all want to find that ‘niche’; that arena where our armor is down, and we feel that sense of knowing and belonging? How must it feel to lean into a topic where you are comfortable, confident, and unapologetic for your mission?
I have not found my niche; do I need one or and I am hungry for more?
At dinner the other night, meeting new friends, my husband referred to me as a writer. I was taken aback as my calling card has always been a corporate or nonprofit executive and a mom of 3. I am not a published author (I was the day after). Maybe I think writing is a soft skill and holds minimal meaning for some, or perhaps myself. Or maybe for me, it lacks focus and credentials? Is writing a niche? Maybe.
I am in awe of those who are walking their path with a laser that fuels their enthusiasm and life force. They have found their niche. They have found their voice, their calling, their compass.
In their presence, you can trust their words knowing they are working on mastering this one thing. I feel grateful to be in a community where I am surrounded by amazing humans who are bringing light to topics such as listening, belonging, meditation, neuroscience, emotional health, spirituality, poetry, astrology, storytelling, and more. They have invited me to go under the surface and broaden my emotional landscape. I am forever grateful for their deep determination and passion for their niche.
So maybe I don’t need to stand out, there’s room for everyone. Perhaps writing from my heart with zero agenda and just being a good human is good enough – for now.
Have you found your niche?
Personally, I don’t think passions can be our niche, as some suggest.
Rather, I believe that in order to find one’s niche, one must commit to identifying the problems that can be solved with one’s own skills.
Everyone has unique aptitudes: valuing them allows us to emerge, compete, find a purpose, a meaning to our working and professional life.
Very interesting post, Carolyn
I loved chemistry early on in my life and got my PhD in chemistry pursuing my love subject. After contributing original research papers that qualified me to lecture at prestigious global meetings I felt the need to make a change.
The change was about using my scientific background to study social sciences. Most writers do not have background in chemistry and so this might have been my niche. I did it because I loved the transformation idea and not because it was my niche. But certainly this helped me a lot.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express myself.
This is an amazing story Ali, thank you so much for sharing.
I believe just because we are GOOD at something, that is not necessarily our niche…. although it does help (as you stated).
It feels to me that your passion is writing, diving deep, being in the question and offering up a diversity of topics.
Your light shines so brightly in your written words. I am always so grateful for your contributions!
Love this Peggy! Thank you..
Niche seems to have so many meanings. I think I am guilty of finding one definition and drilling it down in my own stories.
If this is true:
” I believe our niche and passion is what wakes us up at 3 AM wanting to _____ or receiving a “message” to do ______.” then I am solid!
Thank you for weighing in on this..
Carolyn, thank you so much for sharing. We are what we think and do – or at least that is the rule I try to live by as I have been blessed to know my niche since what feels like since birth. Help others. Help self. Help self. Help others. Repeat. I cannot imagine waking up everyday wondering if it is the day I will find my purpose or, worse yet, wondering if I ever would. I have worked with tens of thousands of clients and many spent sleepless hours trying to figure out their purpose and passion (or niche). I love what you said about growing into your edges. I believe our niche and passion is what wakes us up at 3 AM wanting to _____ or receiving a “message” to do ______.