Why are you thinking your perfect is waiting for you? It’s not. So many things that influence have us believing that it is. Social media, apps, and instant access to info makes us think that it is. It also makes it completely hard for us to know where to look. So, we wait.
With every drop of new tech, new things are created. New spaces to create ourselves are born. We’re exposed to creativity beyond our capabilities to harness because it hits us so quickly we didn’t spend time ready to receive it. Then it’s gone. This ever changing landscape is hard to navigate. We need to think about what we value most, then move to align what’s coming at us to match that.
Start with your personal values. Aligning to anything else but your values makes no sense. You will be doomed to work or drive for something that at best will be bland and uninspiring. It will be just work. What do you need to truly feel will make you fulfilled? While doing this, be ready for the outside influences that will tell you your happiness or fulfillment is in something else. They’re false leads. Build up resilience. Do not be swayed by those external pressures that try to force you into something that doesn’t fit.
Research and explore. The more you dabble the likelier you are to land where you really want. You need to try as many things as possible. You’ll hit on that one that speaks to your values above. You need to consider your skills, values, and interests all together as you do this research. Sometimes just white-boarding visually your research and how it aligns with your values is a great way to see it differently. Get it out of your head. Get it on something you can look at visually, not virtually.
Networks will take you further. Relationships pay off. You won’t know that you needed that relationship until you need it. Be proactive at creating a deep network so when you need diversity of thought it’s readily available for you. Cultivating your network, keeping it fed, may sound like it’s time consuming. You don’t need a huge one, just one that is perfectly matched with what you’re trying to go after.
Once that network feels good, you might find that there are relationships that operate on the same level as you. You’d still need those. Don’t dismiss them to soon. Nurturing relationships at all levels will be incredibly handy to tap into when you need it. You never know who you can learn from. Everyone has valuable wisdom to drop, don’t forget that.
The last point is really investing in your personal development. No one will do it for you. Don’t get cozy. Your values will change over time and with that you will need to jump into new development to match the change. One of the most valuable development focused work I invested in was understanding how my work supported my friends or bosses goals. Get to know their challenges. Learn how your personal development strategy can help them meet their own goals. This shows not just how dedicated you are to your own development or work, but that you care about others too.
Taking the time to proactively explore or understand your personal values is the key to a happier and more fulfilling life. Waiting will never deliver what you need. Assess your values and skills as it relates to your goal often. Keep building those meaningful relationships as you build on your own skills.
Hope the weekend has treated you well. Thank you for reading the post.
✌🏻 Shawn
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