I was bored.
The college teacher buzzed in front of the class.
Many of us have had this experience.
After finishing high school, I chose accounting as a career choice.
The college was chosen.
It was a few months.
And the reality became clear.
I hated accounting.
But I decided to persevere and finish my first year.
The following year, I decided to rotate.
I was transferred to a school where accounting was only part of the mix.
And just like in business, we have the options to adjust our life and career midway.
The first career
After spending the next three years learning to become a teacher, I was given my first assignment.
A small private school.
In a city where I had never lived.
600 miles.
My fellow teachers were supportive and the environment and culture were disciplined.
This was a junior college and teens were noisy and bursting with energy.
It was a happy school.
But when I spent the few years teaching, I realized that I was not happy.
Just showing up.
I hated my first career.
Another pivot
After 5 years, I had enough and I could not stand the thought of another year of teaching to people who did not want to learn.
They are called "teenagers"
So I came with an original plan.
The strategy was inspired by my role as coordinator of the work experience at school.
During the school holidays (summer holidays) I tried 3 careers in 3 weeks.
Thinking is one thing, but doing and experimenting with it is another.
The dream and the reality are often apart.
To truly understand a new career, you must enter the trenches and see it from the ground.
Dirty hands.
The three work experience positions were selling life insurance, real estate and were working in the technology industry.
It was a revelation.
The choice became clear.
Tech won.
And that 's where I spent most of my last 30 years in various roles and businesses.
It was an exciting adventure.
Designing your life is not a destination but a journey where experiences, joys and failures make it a rich tapestry that is never boring.
You have never arrived.
This is never perfect.
So what did I learn along the way?
Digital changed the game
The messy process of designing a life, a business or a start-up is something that I've often envisioned.
But over the past decade, the opportunity to do it with less risk and better opportunities has now exploded opportunities and potential.
You can build a business while doing your day job. I started my online publishing business while working a job from 9 to 5.
I used free and inexpensive tools like WordPress and Twitter. It cost me $ 10 for the domain name.
The world of digital, mobile and social allows you to build a business with little risk with a reduced budget.
I've tested ideas with small investments in time and money.
Everything depends on you
Let me start with what the process is not.
He does not look away.
Dreams and reality are two different things.
Of course … dream, but then jump and test.
Act.
Do.
Also this is not what your parents want for you.
They designed their lives.
We are unique human beings.
Your path is not their way.
The mantra?
"When I grow up, I want to be me"
And …
You are not Steve Jobs.
Building Apple was his life mission.
Find yours.
You are you.
Idols are one thing.
The inspiration is what they provide.
But "their" habits and routines can be emulated.
You bring your own skills, passions and innate ability to the table.
Dig deep.
Find them.
The messy process
So, here it is 30,000 feet.
It starts with a few questions.
- What are my strengths? It's easy to say and sometimes difficult to grasp. But as you begin, you will discover strengths you may not have expected.
- What do I like to do? What makes your heart sing? Awareness is needed here. Reflect and listen and feel your emotions as you work and play.
- What is my expertise? Think about it and come back to what you've learned over the years.
- Where do they all meet? It will often not be apparent. It is messy and often hidden from view.
Here is a way that I discovered to unearth my passionate goal.
It starts with a messy process.
If you were hoping for a perfect formula then I can not help you.
But these are some of the essential elements and elements that worked for me.
# 1. Read and search
Consume everything you can find on a subject.
Articles, books and videos of blogs.
Write some ideas.
Come with different options.
# 2. Choose
There will never be a perfect answer.
The reality is that many different options could work.
They could all be what you like to do.
Many of us today have 7-8 careers in our lifetime.
# 3. Start
Start creating.
If it's a business, start with a minimal viable product (MVP).
Or if you want a career, do an internship.
I did 3 careers in 3 weeks.
Make a low risk.
The failure is welcome.
# 4. Share
Share your creation with the world.
Publish your work.
Take the risk of being judged.
Then ignore the critics.
Put yourself there. Social media has given us this freedom.
Use it to discover what resonates.
The simple act of sharing has power.
As you enter the light, you will change the world and the world will change you.
# 5. Persist
Continue.
Many people give up when success is often just around the corner.
Failure and pain are a human condition.
Get used to it.
Comfort is overrated.
Continue despite the setbacks.
You learn mistakes and challenges, no comfort.
# 6. Continue to learn
In a digital world, the pace of disruption and transformation accelerates.
Continue to learn, watch and adapt.
Be quietly paranoid.
Expect the world to change the rules.
Be prepared to adapt.
The change will disturb you. When you least expect it.
Continue to evolve.
Remember that you are traveling in the unknown.
Embrace the mystery of adventure.
# 7. Optimize
When you make your first steps, the effort will be rough around the edges.
Polish.
Test.
Improve.
Your first efforts will be amateurs.
Imperfect creation.
But when you show up every day, the mastery will emerge.
Your skills and expertise will grow.
So be nice to yourself.
The masterpieces are the work of a lifetime.
One day at a time.
Apparition.
Attach and do the work.
That's how you design a life.
And you will need some successful habits as a support team.
Successful Habits
Make sure you stay away in the marathon that is life requires routine and habits that support you and feed you.
Creativity does not emerge from chance but from routines and habits.3
Structure.
Steven King sits and writes 1,000 words every day.
So …
- Consider being in the now. Full consciousness. Meditation is the crack in the universe where light shines.
- Being grateful is a habit that puts into perspective what you have.
- Innovation and ideas do not come from emptiness. You must consume to create.
- You run a marathon and your machine is your body that supports the spirit and the being. Take care of him.
- Doing what brings you joy will add fuel and energy you need to support the ups and downs.
- Surround yourself with successful people. If you want to fly like an eagle, do not hang around with turkeys.
This is just a quick list. But they will lay the foundation for success.
The real magic?
The real magic just made.
Acting on your dreams.
What you thought was good and what you enjoy is only revealed when you step in.
And one more thing.
You will never arrive.
Designing your life that brings happiness is never over.
Joy is in the journey.