A few years ago, I decided that I wanted to climb Mount Fuji. After exhausting travel, I arrived on the cold, dark mountain and didn’t feel up to the challenge. As evening pressed on, the lack of food, water and sleep fuelled my negative mood. The pesky rock invading my hiking boot ignited my desire to retreat. Do you ever set a career goal, start to move towards it and then want to give up?
Without patience and persistence, there’s no hope of achieving your goals. I learned this from my mistakes. I was clear about the type of work I wanted but it wasn’t coming. I doubted that my dream job would become reality. Impatient and restless, I took a job I didn’t really want. For a time I blamed the company for my dissatisfaction, then I realized that I was the problem. I wasn’t being true to myself.
My definition of success isn’t congruent with Webster’s, which measures it by wealth. Instead, I prescribe to that of John Wooden, the former basketball coach and author of Play your Game. He says, “Success is the peace of mind attained only through the self-satisfaction of knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you’re capable.” I knew I wasn’t doing my best when I settled for the job or considered giving up on Mount Fuji.
Wooden writes: “Play your game…Eventually, if you play your game, stick to your style [it will be worth it] in the end. This does not mean that we will always outscore our opponent, but it does ensure that we will not beat ourselves.”
On Mount Fuji, my despondance eventually waned and I played my game. I was wonderfully encouraged as a pack of Japanese hikers passed by and zealously shouted “gambatte.” I had no idea what it meant, but the tone in which they said it, sparked the fight in me. When I reached the summit at sunrise, I was paralyzed by the beautiful expanse of powder blue sky illuminated by radiant streams of pinks and oranges. I can’t believe I almost missed that! I later learned that “gambatte” means “go for it” or “try your best.” I challenge you to stay true to yourself and persistently go after what you want.
Tips for career success:
1. Clearly define your goals by writing them out. Post your list of goals on the bathroom mirror, or somewhere you’ll actually read it. If you’re a visual person, translate it into a vision board.
2. Share your goals with friends and/or family.
3. Periodically, take time out to be quiet and reflect. Assess whether you’re doing what you want to be doing.
4. Be patient & persevere. Gambatte!
Reference: TED Conference: John Wooden on true success http://www.ted.com/talks/john_wooden_on_the_difference_between_winning_and_success.html
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