“We are where we should be, doing what we should be doing. Otherwise we would be somewhere else, doing something else.” - Richard Stine
How we get from Point A to Point B is directly related to what actions we take to get there. If we are out of milk we need to find and purchase milk.
Many variables can come into play which could slow our progress, distract us or seemingly prevent us from getting to Point B from Point A. However, how we handle, manage and navigate these variables directly impacts our success in accomplishing anything. We either have milk or we don’t.
We either have a job or we don’t. We’re either committed to an outcome or we’re not. All of life isn't as black or white as those choices because there are many places to be in-between points, goals and accomplishments. But how we move between one to the other is the question.
How committed are you to the process and the outcome?
“I’m giving her all I got, Cap’t!” - Scotty from Star Trek
A large percentage of people looking for work are giving their job search everything they’ve got. And a lot of people are giving their job search twenty minutes a week. Regardless of the time spend they all have people in their lives who are impacted by their paychecks (or lack thereof) such as families, banks, debt collectors, landlords, etc. This alone is a motivator, but is it enough? People seeking employment also want to contribute their intellect and talents to the success of something worthwhile – this is a motivational aspect as well. Motivation begets action which begets inspiration which begets motivation which begets action and so forth.
What are you committed to? Can you put your head down on your pillow tonight and honestly say that you gave your job search (or reaching your goal) everything you got? Are you inspired? “
People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing - that’s why we recommend it daily.” - Zig Ziglar
Motivation is a great fuel for taking action and like fuel we need to continually refill the tank. In addition, commitment is the added ingredient that inspires motivation into action. I encourage people daily to find or generate something that will motivate them into action. And then commit to it. We need to keep in mind that the thing that motivated us yesterday may have a greater or lesser motivational effect today.
Does your goal motivate you? Are you inspired to do the next thing on your To Do list?
It’s in our best interest to find what motivates us and then get into action. Each day without a paycheck is one extra day of dealing with those who are affected by our lack of one. Each day we lack motivation or inspiration is one extra day regretting the time we spent not being committed to action.
Think of life in a similar context to a plane, train or automobile. The vehicle itself isn’t responsible for getting us from Point A to Point B; the vehicle is responsible for delivering us from here to there. WE ARE EACH responsible for checking the schedules, buying the ticket, packing our luggage, knowing when to get on and when to get off. Life moves along, just like a plane, train or automobile moves along, but none of these ‘vehicles’ are responsible for making our life happen.
What motivates you to move along?
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” - Michael Jordan
Even if we have created a campaign for success, have identified goals, created a future to live into and are giving it everything we’ve got we are still going to experience failure. And failure, contrary to popular belief, is a fantastic way to succeed. What? Really, ask anyone who has succeeded and they will have multiple stories of failure. With failure we have the opportunity to assess what didn’t work and make changes. We have the opportunity to increase our level of self-efficacy, fine tune our personal brand to a deeper level and take that knowledge and apply it to a larger risk. It’s a challenging context, but the more we fail, the better we become.
“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Whatever it is that we want in life: employment, a loving relationship, more time, etc., we are each responsible in taking that first step towards that goal. The first step could be admitting to ourselves that we have a goal, or a dream. That first step could also include sharing our goals and desires with our friends, family and colleagues. That first step could also be scheduling time to talk with a coach, mentor or leader who has already fulfilled their dream.
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” - Henry Ford
We are all responsible for our lives and how we handle or manage the outcomes. Granted there are things we don’t have control over like illnesses, natural disasters and death. But how we handle the situation is going to have a direct impact on how we move through the experience. If we think we can attain our goal, we will. Life isn’t responsible for making sure we are happy, employed and successful. Neither are our family, friends and peers. They can contribute to the experience but we are ultimately responsible for our outcomes.
“When you need help these days, you don't need a bugle to call the cavalry, you need a buddy list.” - John Horrigan
If no one knows we are looking for a job, how will we get an interview? If no one knows we are single and looking for someone with whom to be in a relationship, how will we ever go on that first date? If our community doesn’t know what we are up to how will they know that they can contribute to our success? We must share with the people in our lives – family, friends, co-workers, members of associations we belong to, etc. – and tell them what our goals are and what steps we’re taking. Let’s share with them when we are stuck and when we succeed. While committing to a goal, taking action, failing, succeeding and failing some more we need to make sure we tell the people in our life what we’re up to – our cavalry, our buddies, the people who want to see us succeed will be our greatest assets along the way.
This blog isn’t just for the unemployed it’s for anyone who has a goal and a desire to reach it. There is more freedom in being responsible for our life than there is waiting for life to happen.
If you’re stuck, stopped or wondering what’s next please register to listen to a free webinar on Tuesday, February 9th. Click here for more details about the webinar Unstuck 101: How A Career Campaign Can Move You Ahead.
This article was previously posted on Career Rocketeer on May 26, 2009. It has been revised.
Author:
Kris Parfitt is the head coach for Career Leadership Coaching, a coaching firm focusing on blowing up your roadblocks to career success and coaching you in creating a fulfilling future to live into. Check out CareerLeadershipCoaching.com for more details. Kris will be offering a free webinar on Tuesday, February 9th on creating your own campaign for success. To register click here for more details: Unstuck 101: How A Career Campaign Can Move You Ahead.”
