I have been blessed with multiple careers and many adventures. What I learned are a few basic truths that apply no matter the circumstance:
- Speak your truth.
Be clear on what you believe, what your non-negotiables are, and then stay true to that. That inner voice will guide you if you learn to listen to it and stay true to what you know in your heart is your right way.
2. Put down your burden.
Whatever it is, Put. It. Down. Get help, read a book, join a group, whatever you need to do, but you have to move past that thing that is holding you back. Person, place, situation, belief, if it is not serving your best self, it has to go.
3. Be consistent and committed.
The tortoise won the race because he stuck to it. Don’t give up before the miracle happens.
4. You are enough.
You have everything you need, right now, to move the ball forward. Gather yourself, and recognize what your strengths are and what things you need support in. Do it in the kind and gentle way you would speak to a friend.
5. Happiness is a choice.
Circumstances do not dictate happiness. It is a choice. All you have is the present moment, right now, so don’t waste it worrying about what you don’t have. Wake up each day, and, even if you don’t believe it, say out loud, “Today I choose to be happy.”
6. Pick something.
Set your heart on something. Life is a grand adventure and we all have so many paths we can take. Don’t spend time worrying about making the right choice, just make a choice. You can always change course.
7. Don’t be afraid. And if you are, do it anyway.
There are only two truths in life, love and fear. One expands and the other contracts. If you want a full life, fear is the thing to avoid, but we all feel it so the trick is to do things in spite of the fear. Fear goes away after you do the thing you are afraid of.
8. Fail forward.
Act like a scientist and see failures not as setbacks but as building blocks to solving the problem. Failure is a great teacher, so learn from her.
9. Once you know what you want, tell everyone.
You never know where help is going to come from so enlist your network in helping to identify what you will need in place in order to succeed (as defined by you).
10. Surround yourself with people that are good at what you are not. And then get out of their way.
Do not be afraid of different. Or better. We all have something to contribute and you can’t do it all, so do what you do well, and find allies who can do other things for you. And don’t micromanage their success.