There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. (Powell)
Gary, a client of mine, decided the world needed a better way to pay insurance claims in 1996. He made a plan and took a step. It didn’t go quite like he expected. Then he planned and took the next step which didn’t quite work out. He missed his goal over and over.
Gary found out he could make money some ways he never dreamed of. Along the way he picked up investors, technicians, sales people and managers. The company changed into a stored value credit card company. A few years ago he sold his company for over $200,000,000.
Did you notice that his company is not the same as it started out in 1996? There was a problem with the payment method they wanted to use. When they solved that problem, they found the possibilities in the payment solution were greater than in their original plan.
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. (Powell)
Let’s not concentrate on Gary. Let’s concentrate on the people who work for him, the people who do what you do. He has accountants, programmers, lawyers, salespeople, managers and secretaries who all took a chance. They found someone who could daydream. It was Gary. They believed in his daydream. They hitched their careers to his star and away the whole team went.
If you are doing exactly what you like, stay there. If you want to do something else, look for someone who can help you achieve that dream. You may first have to hitch your career to a place that will help you pay for the school education you need. The time will come when you are too constricted there. You will have the school education. Next you need hands on experience. First try to grow where you are. If you can’t grow, start looking for the next place you can grow.
Your career will be a set of steps. Your initial plan will undoubtedly change. Plan three or four steps out and execute the next step. Then when you accomplish that first step, re-plan.
The world changes incredibly quickly. Plan to change your plans. Now, work the next step and cause your future to change.
Something To Do Today
Write out your plan. What do you want to do? Then plan 4 major steps to get where you want to be.
Being a business owner, consultant programmer or the number one salesperson in your field may be right for you…today. Or you may find that being a great mother or father is even more important.
Make sure your plan gets you to what will really make you happy, not just to where other people will worship you.
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Next up: One hour interview prep
References
You can’t rollerskate in a buffalo herd
Resume magic
Imperfect and highly paid