How often have you been told your career dreams and goals aren’t feasible? Many of us have been told that while it’s a great dream don’t hold your heart out, but why? Why should you have to lower your standards of yourself because someone else doesn’t think it is possible; go for it!
If you want to become a writer then write. Plan your steps and research into the correct process and the steps to take to get you on to the path you need to be on. Many authors worked for years to get their work published, they got rejected a number of times before they were accepted and then when they were they became a sensation around the globe. Authors such as Stephen King, Agatha Christie, Dr. Suess and the list goes on.
Another example is that of Walt Disney. There was plenty of failure before his global success. Disney was fired from a newspaper for “not being creative enough.” He went on to set up a business and that first company ended in bankruptcy, he still didn’t let that get him down. He persevered and kept his eye on the prize and look where it got him!
Why am I telling you this? I am telling you this so you know if you dream it, it is possible, and you can do it. Don’t give up!
How do you expect to get to where you want to be if you do not put the required work in? Yes, sometimes you may feel like it will all get a bit too much and you cannot do it, but think about the raw emotion and triumph you will feel when you look back and see all you have achieved and all those you have proven wrong.
Network, learn from others in your industry. There are many that have experienced all the pitfalls before you, so learn from them, listen to their advice so you do not have the same experience they did. Make connections; whether this is via social media, networking through events, or courses – we all can learn from others. This can be a new technique or just a more in depth understanding of different steps you could take.
Social media networking allows you to build up a network of like minded people, and create an awareness of your products and/or service. This can also help connect you with people in other industries which may prove to be a bonus if you ever happen to extend your business and need some expert advice. Career advancement is as much about who you know as what you know. As well as sharpening new skills you’ll come face to face with experts in your chosen field and supporting fields as well as just having fun!
Courses are one of the quickest and easiest ways to gain and improve on your skills and knowledge, whether they be online or at a place of education, they are fundamental to keeping up to date with your learning and keeping in touch with the ongoing procedures which are forever changing in your field. The business world is always evolving. To keep in touch, you should always try to be at the forefront of these changes, whether they be technical changes, or fluctuations in the market. To continue to succeed and grow, you need to ensure you are always following this path.
Whatever your dreams are, act on them, work toward them. Make a plan and take those steps to get you where you want to be. Breaking it down and giving yourself targets help to give you direction, they help to boost your motivation and increase self-confidence; which are often blockers. One of the biggest reasons most people do not go on to pursue their dream is due to the fear of failure and not being surrounded by people who believe in them. You need to focus, if you want to truly reach your goals you need to have faith in yourself and others will see your talents and ability.
Be committed and stay determined; make a list, break your objectives down, plan your steps and celebrate small wins along the way. Remember to always think SMART:
Specific.
Measurable.
Attainable.
Relevant.
Time-bound.
Your path may not always be a smooth ride and sometimes it’s hard to keep your focus, but life is simply too short to not follow your dreams.
“Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.” – James Dean