3 reasons why you should totally go for it!
/Throughout my professional career I’ve always strived to be the best that I could. I would go for promotions if they were available, exceed the responsibilities of my role to show that I was able to do more, and always put my hand up to help other departments even when it meant that I wasn’t compensated. I was never bound by title or salary bracket. I always did what needed to be done.
After surviving brain trauma, and ultimately facing death I realised that even though I was this “go-getter” in my professional life, that many people weren’t naturally like this. I accept that some people are just like that and enjoy being comfortable, and having a job that simply pays the bills - and that’s OK. But I realised that I am not happy to stay within the lines, I am an ambitious woman!
Over the past few years I’ve had many people express their shock at how quickly I’ve climbed the ladder / progressed in my career. There was even one point in my life where I quit my job as I wasn’t happy - WITHOUT another job to go to #SHOCKHORROR, and before you say it… I had a mortgage and a child, so I wasn’t without financial responsibility.
But what I knew for sure, was that my happiness is worth more than my salary. Which is why I chose to leave a role knowing that I still had bills to pay. So what happened? I secured another role in just 7 days after I resigned. Amazing how the world just works out.
If you’re in a position where you’re unhappy with your full time role, you feel like you need more out of life or you really just want to change it up and try something new - then this is for you. Here are 3 reasons why you should totally go for it!
There’s no time like the present
I learnt this the hard way. While recovering from brain injury I was unable to work and ultimately lost my job due to ill-health. What this made me realise is that life is so short and that things shouldn’t be taken for granted. This attitude shaped how I see my career path now. I know that everything can change in a heartbeat, so I look at opportunities and embrace them then and there.
You have nothing to lose
Have you been thinking about going for a promotion, or changing roles… but are too scared? Perhaps you’re worried you won’t get it? The fact is whether you go for it or not, you won’t be in a worse position than you are now. If you go for a promotion and don’t succeed, well that just means you’re in the same role and there is work to be done to go for the next promotion. Or if you apply for a new role and don’t get a call back. Well that just means that one wasn’t the role for you! There is nothing to lose, perhaps a little pride - but that’s ok, it’ll help you grow.
Success happens outside of your comfort zone
If you have a goal that you haven’t reached, perhaps it’s outside of your comfort zone. Success isn’t something that is dropped on your lap, most people have to work hard for it. Your comfort zone is likely a comfortable job that you’ve had for a while, but your goal might be a promotion or even starting your own side hustle. Whatever it may be, you will need to get uncomfortable with yourself to get closer to what success looks like for you.
A lot of people are so scared of failing, that they just don’t go for that promotion or start that side hustle that they’ve been dreaming about. There is no glory in dreaming about goals, the real magic is when you start living them.
Try to look at failure as a lesson to be learned. Anything that goes wrong, or doesn’t go to plan can show you what needed to be changed, worked on or added/removed. Failure isn’t the end, it’s simply another step closer to the goal.
xLR
Originally published in www.empoweringambitiouswomen.com