You will need to love what you do.

You will need to have passion.

A purpose.

Because that will keep you going.

When things aren’t going right.

When it feels like you are not making progress.

When pushing through barriers.

When dealing with challenging people.

When you don’t know how to do it.

When you start to stress.

When it gets hard.

When you are close to giving up.

When you are tired and don’t what to anymore.

When these things happen, having passion and purpose will get you though.

You will need to love what you do.

Do you?

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

What barriers have you put on yourself?

The barriers that are holding your back?

You may be comparing yourself to others.

You might think you’re not good enough.

Or thought something impossible for yourself.

Placed a self-determined restriction.

Perhaps you think you don’t deserve it.

What are you potentially talking yourself out of?

Negative self-talk supports these barriers, such as…

… can’t.

… couldn’t.

… don’t.

… won’t.

… wouldn’t.

… shouldn’t.

You start boxing yourself in.

Intentionally or not, the outcome is still the same.

You are holding yourself back.

So what barriers have you put on yourself?

The same person that put them there is the one to take them down.

You’ve decided it’s time to take it to the next level?

What is it going to take for you to get there?

Is it new thinking?

A new skill?

Additional resources?

Talking to the right person?

Automating a process?

Acquiring more knowledge?

Acquiring more technology?

Different technology?

Doing everything differently?

Doing things the same, but faster?

Okay, you’ve thought through what you will need to take it to the next level.

That’s good.

Now how are you going to stay there?

You’re making progress and things are going great.

So why doesn’t it feel great?

You’ve put in the hard yards.

You’re good at what you do.

You are delivering results.

Stayed the course.

Forged a path.

But it doesn’t feel right.

It’s not fulfilling.

Something is missing.

Listen to your inner voice.

It’s giving you a clue.

It is telling you what you already know.

You are not on the right path.

It’s time to find a new one.

Which way do you want to go?

How assertive was your last interaction?

Being assertive is a balance.

A balance between our own needs and the needs of others.

Assertiveness seeks the middle ground between passiveness and aggression.

Too passive allows people to walk over you.

It disrespects yourself.

Too aggressive will have you working against people.

It disrespects others.

Better outcomes happen when you work with people.

Be open, be honest, be respectful.

Strive for the assertive middle.

People may not get it.

Friends may not agree.

Your partner may not understand.

All the effort you’re putting in.

The things you are trying.

Things that don’t make sense (yet).

The reworking of an idea.

Taking risks.

Stretching yourself.

Pushing through.

And that’s okay.

It’s not for them, it’s for you.

“If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.” – Epictetus

Are you known for being consistent?

Consistency is usually viewed as a positive, isn’t it?

So, would you like to be known for being consistently …

… late?

… tired?

… angry?

… rude?

… rushed?

… unreliable?

… unprepared?

… inappropriate?

… inconsiderate?

Or, would you prefer to be known for being consistently …

… punctual?

… forthcoming?

… insightful?

… focused?

… energising?

… reliable?

… prepared?

… engaging?

… dependable?

It’s a choice.

Be intentional about the consistency you would like to be known for.

What is inside your comfort zone?

You will likely find confidence, contentment and consistency.

And not surprisingly…comfort.

You might also find boredom, mediocrity and limitations.

Perhaps even a yearning for something more.

So what is beyond your comfort zone?

Anxiety?  Probably.

Fear?  You bet.

Challenges?  Yep!

And there is also learning.

Opportunity.

Experiences.

Growth.

Beyond the comfort zone is your own growth.

Nowhere else.

Experience and clues.

Be on the lookout for them.

Who has been where you would like to go?

Who has done the hard miles?

Who is well respected in your chosen field?

They will provide many clues.

What they say.

What they do (…what they don’t do).

How they do it.

They may not realise they are dropping clues.

The knowledge and experience has become so ingrained.

Just listen and learn.

Experience leaves clues.

What small improvement or change would you like to make?

Could you change it tomorrow?

Could it be done without much effort?

Without much expense?

Can you really do it tomorrow?

Really?

Tomorrow?

Okay then.