Photo Courtesy of eye of einstein (flickr)
(This article is also featured as a guest post on AlieDavis.com)
Your career is your occupation, the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money. In a nutshell, it will take up a lot of your time. So which occupation will you choose and, more importantly, how will you make it happen? Take a look at the list below and picture yourself living out your dream career. Literally envision walking in the shoes of the future successful YOU. Try it. Then decide what actions you will take to make that ridiculous fantasy a true reality.
1. Begin with the End in Mind
Your career goal is not your next job; it is your life’s purpose. Think long-term. Unfortunately, many of us get caught up in the moment and let the next interview dictate which job we will take. Fast forward 30 years and you’re still working at that job. Was it a good choice? Probably not the best. That’s why today is the most important day of your life. Make the choice now, so that the possibility of regretting your career will only exist from someone else’s perspective, not your own.
2. Write it Down
Your first step, after deciding what passionate career you will pursue, is to write it down. That’s it. Just make a conscious effort to make this decision official. Writing down your goals has an amazing ability to make it real. All of a sudden you’re no longer fantasizing in your head, but staring down at that post-it note as if you’ve just changed history.
3. Find an Expert to Copy
This is by far the easiest way to avoid wasting your time. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel by being a pioneer, at first. The first steps are all about exposure and apprenticeship. You need to learn the ropes before you can teach someone else how to knot them. Find a hugely successful person in your industry and study their life. Read their biography and pay special attention to how they climbed the ladder (chances are they didn’t climb straight up).
4. Make Your Goal Public
If this new career choice is your life’s purpose and you haven’t told anyone about it, you’ve missed the point. Talking to others about your passions is what will bring the passions to life. Get involved with others who are doing the same thing and share your triumphs and tragedies. Making the goal public will hold you accountable, just like going to the gym with a friend. Don’t let them down. Be there.
5. Perfect Your Confidence
The beautiful thing about confidence is that it’s hard to lose once you’ve found it. I ran my first marathon two years ago. Since then I have gained weight and stopped running as often. However, if you asked me if I could do it again soon I wouldn’t even hesitate to tell you how positive I am that I could do it. Why? Because success breads success. Accomplish one thing and you’ve actually accomplished many other future goals without even realizing it, because you’re developing your character by building your confidence.
This list is a breakdown basics you will need to master in order to actually achieve your ambitious career goals. The most important thing to remember is that your career is 100% up to YOU. Don’t fall victim to letting life happen to you, you need to happen to life. Make intentional choices and create your career from scratch. Customize it for you. Design your own future and ensure that your destiny is one you have designed to be a perfect fit. Good luck on your career and stay positive!
The Clueless Graduate,
Jeff Sanders
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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