BIG Stepping Into My 3rd Era!
Cory Charles ??
?Transformational Speaker??Extraordinaire | Sales Training Sage | Leadership Coaching Luminary | Growth and Resilience Expert | Leap.Fail.Grow! | The SuperHero Mindset | Autism Dadvocate ??
Every SuperHero has their Origin Story—a moment when the mask comes off, the cape feels earned, and the real transformation begins.
For me, BIG stepping into my third era feels like that moment.
Growing up, I didn’t come from much. The world around me was a constant reminder of what I didn’t have. My story started in scarcity, but it didn’t end there. It’s been a journey of evolving mindsets and shedding old versions of myself to step into the person I was always meant to be.
Today in 5 Minutes or Less:
?? How Scarcity Shapes the Hustle Mindset
?? Why Proving Them Wrong Isn’t the Goal
?? The Secret to True Freedom
?? How to Focus on “Being” Instead of “Having” or “Doing”
The shift from “having” to “doing” to “being” isn’t just a mindset—it’s a strategy. And stepping into my third era has been all about embracing that shift. Let’s checkout the journey that brought me here—three distinct eras that taught me not only how to build success but how to live fully.
Era I: The Hustle for “More”
Growing up, my first era was survival mode, plain and simple.
I spent those years laser-focused on what I didn’t have.
The mindset? If I could just hustle hard enough and fill the gaps—money, status, recognition—then I’d feel whole.
You know that feeling when you’re a kid and you look around at what everyone else has, and it feels like the world drew you the short straw?
That was me.
Every day was a constant grind to prove to myself that I could catch up.
It wasn’t just about wanting things—it was about feeling like I wasn’t enough without them.
I thought having the car, the clothes, or the house would quiet the nagging voice of inadequacy in my head.
But the truth: you can’t pour from an empty cup, and you definitely can’t fill an emotional void with stuff.
The biggest lesson from this era?
Chasing sh*t won’t make you whole.
You’ll get what you think you want and still feel like something’s missing.
Why?
Because the work has to start inside.
But back then, I wasn’t ready to learn that yet.
Era II: Proving Them All Wrong!
The second era of my life wasn’t about survival—it was about proving.
I carried the weight of every doubter, critic, and naysayer on my shoulders like fuel for my fire. If the first era was about having, the second era was about doing.
I wanted to win. (above anything else)
I wanted to show every person who ever doubted me that I could succeed, that I could make something of myself.
This era was all about action, achievement, and pushing myself to new heights.
And to be fair, it worked—at least on paper.
→ I checked the boxes.
→ I hit milestones.
→ I achieved more than I ever thought possible.
But what no one tells you: when your drive comes solely from trying to prove people wrong, it leaves you feeling empty even after the victories.
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You know why?
Because every win only moves the goalposts further.
There’s no finish line when you’re chasing validation from others.
I became so focused on doing more, achieving more, and accomplishing more that I forgot to ask myself a simple question: “Why the #$%@ am I doing all this?”
The lesson from this era?
Proving people wrong might get you far, but it doesn’t get you free.
Real freedom comes when you stop caring what they think and start asking, “What do I want for me?”
Era III: Becoming the Best Version of Me!
That brings me to the now—the third era.
This one hits different.
It’s not about what I want to have or what I can achieve.
It’s about who I want to be.
And let me tell you, stepping into this era hasn’t been easy. It’s required peeling back layers, getting brutally honest with myself, and facing the truth that I spent years chasing things that weren’t aligned with my values.
This era isn’t about impressing anyone.
It’s not about checking boxes or filling voids.
It’s about waking up every day and asking, “Am I living in alignment with the person I truly want to be?”
What the Third Era Looks Like..
This Era is all about focusing on values over validation. Instead of running after external rewards, I’m leaning into the things that bring real joy—growth, connection, and purpose.
It’s about unbecoming the person the world told me I had to be so I can step fully into the person I was always meant to be.
Lessons From the Journey
Stepping Into the Cape
This third era is my favorite yet.
Why?
Because it’s not about proving anyone wrong or chasing more.
It’s about finding peace in who I am and striving to be better every single day.
This era feels like finally stepping into the cape I’ve been carrying around all along. It’s about living authentically, leading with courage, and inspiring others—not through words, but through action.
So here’s my question for you: What era are you in? And are you ready to step into the next one?
??Hey… If you’re reading this…
You’re not here to follow the crowd—you’re here to lead.
To forge new paths.
To be a true Game Changer.
Your next level starts with owning your growth, showing up consistently, and demanding the best from yourself. Success isn’t random—it’s built by your daily actions and bold decisions.
??Ready to step into your power? Let’s make it happen. Whether it’s speaking, training, or 1:1 coaching, I’m here to help you unlock your full potential and create real I.M.P.A.C.T. Let’s connect!
As a life architect, I collaborate with clients to strategically design and implement plans that cultivate lasting happiness, built upon a strong foundation of well-defined goals.
1 周Well written and I agree! Proving anything to anyone other than yourself puts you in vehicles that drive you to destinations that aren't fulfilling to your purpose.
Area Sales Manager at DRB Homes Atlanta
1 个月Grateful you wrote this one!
I win decision-makers time and money by neuro-hacking peak performance, ending unwanted behavior & clarifying purpose through Rapid Therapy. Anxiety, PTS expert. Keynote, 2x TEDx Speaker. Purpose Factor??licensed. Author
1 个月You have certainly "stepped into your cape"! Beautifully told story, Cory!
Advocate for Inclusive Education | Driving Effective Training and Support Strategies | Enhancing Accessibility in Higher Education
1 个月“It’s about living authentically, leading with courage, and inspiring others—not through words, but through action.” Yes, Cory! I think this will be the best era yet. Love this! ??
?Director of Sales | Advocate for Women in Homebuilding | Speaker | Host of The Rise and Shine Podcast ?
1 个月Values over validation! ??