*This post is dedicated to my brilliant and creative friend Michael Lew*

While all the current tips and videos I provide are important to me (and hopefully you), today’s post is something that is very near and dear to my heart. Now that we are just 40 days away from Comic-Con, I believe it’s essential to ask yourself; What is your Comic-Con mission? I’m not talking about what panel you want to see, or celeb you hope to meet, or exclusive you are trying to buy- I’m referring to something much more significant than all that. What is the impossible mission you are trying to accomplish while you are at SDCC? Whether you are a orphaned moisture farmer in a far off desert planet or nerd staring into a blank blog page, in about 6 weeks you’ll have a chance to do something daring. Will you take the shot?

As a 10 year vet to Comic-Con, I spent the first 4 years viewing myself as a spectator, consumer, and someone that deserved to be entertained. I gauged the success of a show but how ‘wowed’ I was and what cool swag I could get. While there was nothing wrong with spending my time that way, I knew there had to be more. Then I had a defining moment at the 2010 show that changed my perspective on everything in my life (I won’t go into details here, but will at my Wrath of Con Bloggers panel). That show 5 years ago, made me embrace the idea of redeeming every moment while at Comic-Con. My focus shifted from what I got out of Comic-Con to how could I contribute to it. Since that time, I have succeeded at a few things, failed at a LOT more things, and discovered a life that was unimaginable. Largely because I connected my passion with opportunities at Comic-Con. Simply put, I had a mission.

Some of you reading this are already doing what you love and love what you do- regardless of who is paying your paycheck. But others of you struggle every day and imagine a life different than the one that you have. You wonder why that girl online has a charmed nerdy life while you are stuck cranking out more widgets day after day. While Comic-Con will be the best vacation you have all year, it may also bring the biggest opportunity to change everything.

Your mission doesn’t have to be big or spectacular- but it does need to have two parts: First, it has to be something that you are passionate about. Mountains are moved, leaders are forged, and the impossible becomes possible because of passion. Nothing that matters in life can be accomplished without it. Second, it needs to involve risk. It has to scare you, keep you up at night, and raise your blood pressure. Law of nature; Doing scary things changes you- doing happy things, does not. Here are a few friends that I highly respect for merging their passion with doing something risky:

The Jerd: Geekiness + Health/Fitness

The Nerdy Girlie Geekiness + Fashion

Con*Quest Journals Convention journals and related items

Nerds in Recovery Bringing together nerds that are in recovery

TOTL Podcast Geekiness + faith

Nerd for a Living Helping nerds find careers

Geek Fest Film Fest Connecting a tribe of independent filmmakers

And there are many, many more. What is your mission this year at Comic-Con? Who do you need to meet? What do you need to create? How will you spend your time? The most critical part in having a mission is just taking the first step. By just doing SOMETHING, you already ahead of 94% of everyone else out there. Starting a blog. YouTube your journey. Create a comic. Write a short story. Do something and see how you can leverage it into something else at Comic-Con. Most likely what you start with won’t last but it will be enough to get you moving. Blowing up the Death Star is a one in a million shot but someone has to do it right? It might as well be you.

Decide what you mission is today and write it down and share it with others that are attending Comic-Con with you. Be specific, list goals, be accountable, and build a team around it. If you have a mission, share it below (that’s the scary part)! When I meet readers at Comic-Con, it’s always nice to hear that fans enjoy the site but it will mean the world if you say four words to me “I HAVE A MISSION”. Happy hunting.

**Update 6-19-15**

Check out this great article on Superheroes.XYZ in response to this post!