My career transition practice is full of amazing people with a huge well of talent, potential and experience. Each person is completely different. And with each person, I’ve identified a specific obstacle they are overcoming, so they can quickly move ahead on their goals. That problem identification and problem solving is the primary focus of our work together.
Typically that obstacle has arisen from a mistake in their understanding of the specific challenge or opportunity they have, and the right way to approach it. Of course, this would be a specific problem to solve in each specific situation.
However, no matter how specific the #1 mistake or obstacle is for each individual, the #2 mistake they’ve been making is pretty much the same. I suspect you are making the same mistake as well. The second biggest mistake people make in a career transition or business is this…
You think you need something else.
You think you need something more than what you have right now at your fingertips.
I hear these things:
– “I need to brush up on my Spanish skills.”
– “I need more ideas. I need new content.”
– “I need a website. I need a new website.”
– “I need a contact management system.”
– “I need a project management app.”
– “I need more recommendations on LinkedIn.”
– “I need to get another certification, MBA, to finish my AA…”
– “I need a partner.”
– “I need an investor.”
– “I need an office.”
– “I need to convince ….”
No. You. Don’t.
You don’t need a business card, location, degree, another degree or anything else. If you are reading this from some device with your own eyes and you understand this content: you have everything you need right now.
Stop yourself from looking for reasons not to succeed. Stop yourself from wasting one more moment.
You have you. That’s what you need. Anyone who ever told you a piece of equipment, the perfect resume or portfolio, or anything else is wrong. Anyone who ever told you that you are not enough is wrong.
Now go tell everyone you know exactly what you do – or want to do. Speak plainly. Then, ask them whom they know among their friends who might need what it is you do. Or, could possibly connect you with someone who might.
What you need is hiding in plain sight. Stop looking for it. See it.
