When it comes to rising in any career or in life, determination, perseverance, and adaptability are key. Staying grounded in humility and gratitude while acknowledging the opportunities that come your way is also essential. Reflecting on my own career, I often think about the advice I received from motivational speaker Zig Ziglar.
Ziglar once said to just get started in any direction, and once you’re moving, it’s easier to turn the wheel in the right direction. This advice has stuck with me throughout my career journey, and I believe it can help you too. Here are seven proven strategies that have helped me keep moving forward and rise to the top:
1. Never place a lid on your own thinking
There’s a famous flea parable often attributed to Zig Ziglar that illustrates the dangers of limiting your own thinking. When fleas were placed in a jar with the lid off, they jumped endlessly, escaping the jar. However, once a lid was placed on the jar, the fleas learned to jump only as high as the lid, even when it was removed. The limitation was now set in their minds. Don’t place a lid on your own thinking.
2. Don’t expect a seamless career
My introduction to the world of business came from following my dad, who sold insurance, door to door. I learned that a career is not always smooth sailing. Opportunities will come your way, and it’s up to you to seize them, even if they’re not conventional or well-planned. Embrace the journey, even if it’s not what you expected.
For me, a pivotal moment in my career was receiving a scholarship from British Leyland Motor Corporation. This experience exposed me to various aspects of the company and ultimately led me to make the decision to move to America for further career growth.
4. Find your niche
Discovering what you love and where your strengths lie is crucial for career success. For me, combining my passion for sports with my expertise in revenue generation and community building led to founding The Aspire Group, a leading sports marketing firm. By focusing on my niche, I was able to drive the company’s growth and success.
6. Seize challenges as opportunities
Challenges are inevitable in any career journey. Instead of seeing them as obstacles, view them as opportunities for growth and development. Embrace challenges and use them as stepping stones to reach your goals.
7. Just turn the wheel
Sometimes, you have to take action and make decisions, even if you’re unsure of the outcome. Just like Zig Ziglar’s advice, turning the wheel and taking that first step, even if it’s not in the exact right direction, can be the key to success. Embrace change and be willing to adjust your course as needed.
As I transition from focusing on growing my career to making a difference, I bring the lessons learned from my journey to this new endeavor. By guiding my career with care and leveraging my experience and success, I’m able to make a positive impact and help others along the way.
