Remember to Buckle Up

Remember when I said buckle up?! It definitely has been a roller coaster ride the last couple months personally. There's been a lack of focus or rather, too many re-routed paths, but believe me- it was necessary. I truly feel that my own growth has reached an apex because the 'not knowing' appetite has been eaten and I'm no longer hungry for that change I initially thought would make me full. I've spoken to many professionals in the past who have gone similar journeys; one company to the next, location to location. But that does not mean their goals are out of wack or unclear. It's about calibrating.

There are kinks to every engine. However, once fine-tuned, the core infrastructure keeps things moving in the right direction. No more hiccups. Why can't it be that way for our career paths?

I've seen people dabble in this and that. Gained knowledge here or there. Ultimately, the final product is a well-rounded experienced individual who can draw from a wholelistic perspective to be more effective than even someone from a safe stable environment. The agility of the modern day worker is an attribute that can not be overlooked. 

Surround yourself with these...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicahagy/2012/07/17/the-6-people-you-need-in-your-corner/

Shed your skin

When you change your environment, you must adapt. That's evolution. Personal growth does not come easy and I'm learning that sacrifices are the most critical aspect of one's own transformation. I hope the path that leads me there will ultimately be a road where I remember every step.  There are moments in our lives where we reinvent who we are, so I challenge those who are unafraid to just let go. Sometimes when you unravel, what's underneathe is worth putting out on the table.

Give Yourself Credit

I apologize for the delay in posting.  I've been quite busy with some personal changes of my own and have discovered some key things about myself that I'm greatful for. The last few years have been a grind and the experience invaluable because the growth from understanding myself on a professional level, where I trust my own innate abilities that help drive crucial decisions, cannot be clear as ever.  My career has been centered around developing new relationships and finding opportunities to partner with companies, various business professionals, and ultimately put their objectives in a better situation.  I've gained tremendous business acumen, have become even more technically saavvy, learned to be patient with processes, and have a strategic mindset that has allowed me to be comfortable with any service I provide.

We all reach a point in our careers where we just know what the hell we're doing.  And, with the recent changes in my own life, that time for me is now.  I couldn't be happier. 

It's hard to listen to yourself, especially in regards to the advice you give others.  On the recruitment side, I constantly ask candidates what their passions are, why they do what they do, what type of goals they have, where they want to be in a couple years, etc. and it's hard to believe that a few weeks ago, I had all the answers for myself but I was slow to act or never gave myself enough credit for what I knew I was able to do and how I could accomplish so much more.  The moment I realized that I could definitely pick up the pace and really challenge myself professionally, I had to make a life altering change. 

Although I had a great relationship with my employer, there definitely was a disconnect in how the team could have been better.  It was a tough decision, but I knew I had to see what else was out there.  For the first time in my career, the feeling where I was able to choose the best offer between companies that saw value in my expertise, it completely wiped any sort of doubt about the upcoming glitch in the matrix.  I packed up my life in Southern California and moved to San Francisco with a job waiting for me, there was an available room to live with a friend until I find something more permanent, and that sense of wonder, excitement...not knowing what's next is extremely invigorating.  A brand new jump start when I was just about to coast along...unhappy, almost settling.   There's still more to uncover while I'm up here, but I'm confident that everything underneath it all is worth taking a look.  Don't be shy about who you are anymore because there are people out there who do want to meet you.  You just have to give yourself and them the opportunity.

Put Me In Coach!

There are plenty of speed bumps to every job, company, industry, product, service, and territory.  Weathering the storm and directing traffic safely requires a set of skills and attributes to ensure success.  And it seems that with the economic and employment landscape the past couple years, the forecast looks cloudy with a slight chance of rain.  Those that are better prepared may not even have to use their umbrella and will enjoy the sunlight sooner.  So what key elements separate those that are neck deep in water from the ones who are paddling their way to a nice, remote, secluded island?

Let's start with something we all have control over- our attitude.  Our thoughts play a pivotal role in being able to adapt to unexpected changes to things we've been heavily focused on.  The wrenches that are thrown at us can make us lose our composure at times where we're not able to think clearly enough to take a step back, access the damage (if any), and come up with a strategy that best utilizes our abilities to pull through in the clutch.  There are too many things we just do not have control over, but remaining positive and always looking for the silver lining, will be the first step in clearing up blurred vision.

Now, the next topic is something we all have a tough time figuring out because we are raised in a society where 'only the strong' survive.  However, those that are in tune with their weaknesses, I believe have the best chance of adapting quickly and becoming smarter than those that only understand their key strengths.  For example, the jocks in high school focused on their athleticism, muscles, and had charisma to handle competition.  They were the face of the team, school, and attracted crowds.  The nerds knew they weren't coordinated, didn't have enough meat on their bones, and were subject matter experts on the 'not so interesting'.  They were the teacher's pet, school bully's punching bag, and diverted social interaction from all angles.  But understanding their weaknesses allowed them to think strategically, plan accordingly, and react appropriately.  In today's fast-paced climate, if you can't manage that effectively, you're just going to be another bench player yelling, "put me in coach!"  Trust me, there's already five other players already better prepared for those valuable minutes.  So focus on what you're not good at, work on it every day, and increase your value by being versatile.  A well-rounded player is more capable of overcoming new challenges because every strength is connected to something innate, genetics, or just pure natural ability and when it's not, it's something that's been developed over time.  It's all about longevity and outlasting your opponent right?  A battle of wits...well, is still a battle nonetheless.

The last point I'll touch on, although there are many, many more elements that differentiate the winners from the 'maybe next time's' is a sense of...enthusiasm.  Be excited about who you are, what you've accomplished, and what you've experienced!  People are drawn to the best stories that are filled with in-depth, quantifiable examples of how you accomplished a goal or even how you failed.  This shows the learning experience that will inevitability help your new team overcome their current challenge because they lack something that you have.  If you can't demonstrate that because you didn't have enough energy to make them pay attention and listen to how you could contribute right away, you lost them at 'hello'.  Know who you are and be passionate about it!  But remember, leave the cockiness in your bathroom when you're getting ready to showcase your greatness to the world outside.

So the formula is simple: Attitude + Weaknesses + Enthusiasm = leaving everyone else in... dare I say? A.W.E.

"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

I went to college a Film major and came out a sales hunting corporate ninja.  I've always had a way with words and wanted to write, direct, and create when I finished my shaky five-year program.  Instead, these words have been used to persuade, convince, and close deals.  A creative career meant a  long road filled with a light wallet and the never-ending struggle to find my first 'big break' that would jump-start the dream job I had envisioned.  The initial plan with my career choices after I graduated, was to make a six figure income as quickly as I could, pay off student loan debt, help out family, and invest in the ultimate goal of producing my own independent films.  About six years later, making a six figure income is taking longer than expected, I'm still chipping away at my loans, family is increasingly needing more, and I haven't spent enough time on personal side projects whatsoever. Yet, I have no regrets and I'm not bitter about how things have turned out.  I'm actually more excited, better equipped, and confident that one day, that big break will eventually come because of the experience I've gained over the last few years.

I had a strong interest in technology and worked the cell phone hustle during college, then found a sales opportunity for a telecommunications company. Entry-level, outside sales. If that doesn't give you an idea of the reality check that I was hit with after taking on that role, then you're quite fortunate because it was a burn and churn, shark-eat-shark world where you are just a number and if you do not meet quota or close any deals month in and month out, you were lunch meat. Bologna and SPAM to be specific.  I lasted 3 months, did okay, but thankful I was able to leave on my own terms to regroup and come up with a new strategy to find a job that would 1) would pay the bills and 2) not force me to sell my soul at the cheapest price.  So I went back to retail and sold cell phones for another year until I figured it out.

And what followed was the world of head hunting, which opened up my eyes, my ears, and my mind to how I now view the world as only a mere vessel to where I want to end my career without losing my creative aspirations in shark-infested waters.  This is my journey filled with countless challenges and minimal successes, but those few wins have been the driving force in replenishing my thirst to continue on this path to unknown territories.  The people I have come across on this road have been my compass and I have no doubts that they've been pointing me in the right direction.  For that, this is my invitation to you to sit shotgun  while I work on getting myself from point A to point Z.  And just so you know, I will never ask for gas money and of course, please buckle up.