-Don’t let your fears, failures or limitations hold you back.
There’s a trend in Gen Z (born between 1996-2010) to do “lazy girl jobs”. These are primarily low-stress, remote jobs that offer a life of non-work safety and comfort. One Gen Z notes on social media, “The whole point is for us to go live our lives and be amazing humans.”
I’m not sure it’s possible to become an “amazing human” without addressing your fears, failures and limitations. Believing in the possibility and taking action toward achieving your dreams takes guts and courage that shape you into a better human being.
In today’s world, it’s natural to have anxiety-riddled and defeatist thinking, but you don’t have to succumb to it. Let me inspire you with stories of famous and lesser-known individuals who beat the odds and the common factors that led to their success.
Success comes in all shapes and sizes.
Despite being fired for lacking creativity, Walt Disney created an empire of imagination. Thomas Edison persevered through a thousand failures to invent the electric light bulb. Oprah Winfrey triumphed over an abusive and poverty-stricken upbringing to become a billionaire media executive.
A former inmate founded a multi-million dollar bakery (Dave’s Killer Bread) despite his incarceration. A senior-level HR leader overcame doubters who questioned her operational experience to become a business unit’s Chief Operating Officer. At fifty-two, a teacher reimagined her career, pursued further education and became a highly-paid traveling nurse.
Common factors of people who beat the odds.
These real-life people didn’t take the easy way out, settling for a life of comfort or safety. Instead, they faced the uphill battles and the anxieties that came along with these strategies that you can also use to catapult beyond your own obstacles:
Stir passion: Imagine your “must have” future in detail to stir powerful emotions that fuel a burning desire, propelling you to act consistently and enthusiastically.
Build confidence: Create simple, easily attainable goals toward your dream to boost your self-assurance and prepare yourself for more significant challenges.
Strengthen resilience: Develop healthy coping strategies to overcome anxiety and maintain well-being. Think exercise, meditation, self-reflection, journaling, restorative sleep and nutritional meals.
Get support: Surround yourself with people who believe in your potential and are also courageous. You are the sum of the five people who hang around most. Make sure you are in empowering company.
Update your mindset: Cultivate a growth mindset recognizing that your abilities will develop through dedication and effort. Let go of the idea “that you are the way you are.” Your capabilities are an ever-changing work in progress.
Embrace self-discipline: Commit to a disciplined routine. At first, no one thinks discipline is glamorous or fun. However, it does become a time and energy-saver as it frees you from the burden of decision-making.
Be adaptable: Stay open to new and different pathways that help you break through barriers.
It’s up to you.
If your dreams feel too far off, don’t yield to taking the easy way out. You might get some short-term comfort but will never become the amazing person you know you were meant to be.
Instead, focus on mastering one of the seven factors mentioned above. Try the one that challenges you the most, as it might be the key to your breakthrough.
Your dreams, big or small, are essential to your fulfillment. Giving them your best shot at turning them into reality is how you become the person you know you were meant to be.
Til next week,
Jo-Aynne Von Born, Leadership and Executive Coach
Work Your Authentic Genius.
- What is the #1 reason you can’t accomplish what you want?
- Is this absolutely true?
- How are your emotions obstructing the pursuit of your dreams?