Dare to dream bigger
The majority of conversations I have with professionals in the corporate space are centered around career ambition.
What's next up in my career?
Have I achieved enough?
What exactly is "enough"?
The underlying theme is that most people are measuring their success through the lens of comparison. They only know whether or not they have achieved an acceptable level of success because they are looking at their peers to determine their next steps. What if you decided not to do that? I challenge you to dream bigger.
Start with being okay with being uncomfortable. Growth accelerates when we are challenged to adjust our approach or learn a new skill. Our growth is not only defined by achieving more, it is also defined by achieving something different. Learn to be a student, not only in the career space, but also in life. Our current environment is saturated with experts in all things. However, in order to be a true expert you have to remain in a constant state of learning. The moment you declare that you know all there is to know about a topic, there's innovation or an alternative perspective that will challenge your expertise. These discoveries should be a welcomed invitation to expand your knowledge base and challenge your beliefs. Being comfortable with this idea will take you further in life and especially in your career.
Be open to sharing your ambitions with others, there's always someone willing to assist you with your endeavors. Eliminate the fear that sharing your ambitions will expose you to being imitated. The truth is that there are enough great ideas to go around and even if someone copies your idea, they are still missing the insight that you brought to the space. Perhaps you will share your vision with someone that has the connection or resource that you need to get started. Consider that the connection you make may lead to a partnership or collaboration. Often times opportunities are missed because we convince ourselves that the only true path to success is a lonely one and collaboration will hinder our progress. Challenge yourself to be open and network fearlessly to dream bigger and propel your ideas.
Ask yourself, are you happy or settling? It's fascinating how little people consider their own level of happiness. Career accomplishments can be wonderful to experience, but can also create a sense of complacency. If you set goals and achieve them, it's quite comfortable to reach a plateau and not realize it until years have passed you by. Create a routine that requires you to regularly check in on your progress and set new goals for your career. This regular career review will provide you with an opportunity to assess your level of happiness while daring you to dream bigger and set new goals.
Lastly, bet on you! Believe that you have the capability to achieve great things, even beyond the accomplishments you initially set out to achieve. Invest in your own development. Whether that requires time or money, it's important that you believe in your abilities enough to bet on yourself. This may mean going back to school, getting a new certification, or even creating a new business. Assess your dreams and goals and create a plan that will support your vision, then get to work.
*Written in a sunny living room on a blistery cold day in November.