What
do you want to be when you grow up? As a kid, this question stirred up dreams of being a doctor or an
astronaut or a pilot. Maybe even a ballerina or a policeman or firefighter.
That kid always had an amazing vision of what their career would look like. So
… umm … what happened along the way?
Life happened … that’s what! And when it comes to the careers
and motivations that you have you can either just “let it happen” or you can
make a choice to take charge of the direction things are taking. Yep, I said make a choice.
See, here’s the thing. Regardless of what
your boss and the HR department tell you, or what you want to believe, no one
cares more about your career than you do. Do you get that? No one has the
passion for your career and your destiny at any higher level than you do. Maybe
there are those rare exceptions, but in general this is true. I repeat … no one
cares more about your career … your advancement … your sense of challenge and
self worth … than YOU do.
BAZINGA!
If there is a really cool project in
the making, go ahead and dare to ask to be involved. Or maybe even ask to lead
the project. I remember asking if I could lead a project one time in my career
and it was pivotal!! Thanks Jim for believing in me on that project.
When you start feeling like you can
contribute more or want to shift your focus, bring the subject up with you boss
and coworkers. They can’t read your mind ya know!
If an opportunity is presented to you
that sounds like it could be way cool, at least give yourself permission to
explore it and discover how amazing it just might be for you.
There are no wrong answers here when
it comes to talking about what you think you might want to do.
And guess what, in your role as a
leader or as the head of a household, the same applies to the folks you serve.
I encourage to push those around you to play the lead role in driving their
careers and their dreams instead of them relying on you to wave your wand and
make it all happen for them.
Coach them through why they must have the initiative, how they
can make that possible and what benefits they can expect when they take
charge.
I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to
do half of the things I did in my corporate career if I didn’t believe I was
the one who cared the most about my career. No doubt I was blessed by working
for and with people who were willing to take risks on a guy who cheated to get
out of college. The fact is when I asked if I could try something bold, I was
always rewarded for my courage, my drive and my intensity.
And you can enjoy these same results
as well. Do you believe that?
Be intentional … be curious … be
stubborn … wonder … and then put one foot in front of the other because winning
is all in front of you. What lies behind you is merely an input – the past
doesn’t define who you are as a person, a parent, a leader, an employer, a
coach or … a friend.
What do you want to be
when you grow up? Sit in the driver’s seat and
there is no telling where YOU might take YOU!
Your life (and your business) becomes amazing when you do. And
your life is happening right here, right now. Make it amazing – I dare ya!
