Growing & Taking Risks
Many of my articles have focused on finding a new job, career transitions, and resume writing. So you may say, ‘what about maintaining and growing your existing job/profession?’ Well, here we go….
CONFIDENCE – Ahh yes, the big one. Make friends with confidence. Whether it’s on the job, with your friends, at the workplace, whatever the situation. There will always be times when we goof up. Just remember, that does not diminish the work put into your efforts, or your ability to perform what you have been designated or agree to take on. It’s natural to make mistakes, after all, that is how we learn and grow. Carry your confidence with pride. If you want your peers and managers to respect you in the workplace to do your job, you must maintain and demonstrate the confidence to do just that.
SUCCESS - What is success? We all have our own definition of success. Mine is doing something you have a passion for, a place to learn and grow, to be comfortable making mistakes, and feeling comfortable taking risks. Decide what you want to do with your job, profession, task, then put yourself out there, tooting your horn about what your role is, and your accomplishments. Step out of your comfort zone, move past the fear of failure and take that risk, grow!
THINK BIG – Bringing an idea to life requires being confident in your vision, and finding a creative approach to the task you need to accomplish. You will need sponsors and supporters, which requires being outspoken about what you are presenting and trying to bring to life. You must stay focused and you must execute. Whether you are in marketing and trying to bring to life a new product, or reinventing an existing one, or raising funds, you must meet the right people to accomplish your goal, and this is not an easy task. Research, make phone calls, send emails, and ALWAYS follow-up. Have your 1 page marketing piece stating who, what, where, and why regarding your idea, event, new product, etc. Put together a powerpoint presentation. Keep it to 4-5 overheads at most to keep your audience’s attention. Then put together your target list and GO FOR IT!
Don’t allow anyone to tell you that you are thinking too big. Anything can happen, it’s all up to you. Remember that word ‘Confidence’.
CONSEQUENCES - Plan for bumps in the road, issues and consequences. Nothing is easy if it’s Great, right?
DON’T SETTLE - If you are not satisfied with your job, your career, your role in life, change it. You are in charge, do something to improve it. People who complain and don’t try to change their situation will never be fulfilled in life. Go after that dream, whether it’s a trip you’ve always wanted to take, a new profession, jumping out of an airplane, climbing a mountain, or whatever it is – just do it. Take the time, you only live once.
MAPPING OUT A PLAN – A big challenge we all face is time management. I have found throughout my life that my biggest challenge has been setting priorities on a daily basis. Keep a daily list of things you need to accomplish, figuring in that a few will have to be juggled. Prioritizing is an absolute must today—stick to that list, coupled with consistency, and you will accomplish you goals.
STAYING BALANCED – Yes, we all are challenged by the work/life balance. Our jobs can control us if we allow them to. Take time to look at your life as a whole: personal, romantic, financial, professional. Try to do everything in moderation. Start small and work into it if you must, but do it. Remember Rome was not built in a day, and our lives are fast moving. Smell the roses – you only get one chance on this earth.
Peace and good luck.
Liz
