It goes without saying that hard work begets success. Ask any expert, successful businessman/woman, or leader in their field—this didn’t happen overnight or by accident. In fact, it probably took years of passion, dedication, and grit to get to where they’re standing today. And that’s the truth about any badass career.
If you want to be successful, you have to work for it.
The harsh reality about the world we live in (especially in a professional sense) is that no one is going to hold your hand. Sure, you will meet amazing people who will build you and bring you up, but for the vast majority of the experiences and positions you find yourself in—your success will be dependent solely upon you.
If you want to get yourself to the next level, if you want to finally start that side hustle or business, if you want to be a force in your field, or if you just want to turn a profit—you have to be willing to put in the work. Nothing—I repeat—nothing will be handed to you. Not the opportunities, not the jobs, not the experience. This doesn’t mean you won’t get lucky (because we all experience the ups and downs) but this should light a fire in you to go after what you believe in.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: your future is on the other side of fear.
I love what I do. As a full-time freelance writer and small business owner, I get to share my heart with brands, companies and people all around the world. I get to work alongside people who want to polish their content, and I get to coach people to greater levels. I’m so incredibly blessed, but I’ve also worked my butt off to get to this place.
If anyone tells you that pursuing your dreams is easy, they’re lying. But it also doesn’t have to burn you out, either.
Society has glorified ‘the hustle’—and that’s not wrong, per se—but it’s up to YOU to determine your own balanced and healthy place.
True success doesn’t come from standing still and hoping. But it doesn’t come from sleepless nights, early mornings, and being so exhausted you can’t even open your eyes, either. If you want a badass career, you have to acknowledge that some things will work for you—and some won’t. Some days you’ll be motivated, and some days you’ll want to crawl into a ball. Some mornings you’ll wake up with the world all aligned, and others you won’t know what to do next.
The process of getting to where you want to be professionally (and personally, too!) is a struggle, but it’s not one that you should give up on.
So many people I’ve met along my journey have given me different perspectives on the work-life balance, on success, and on what leading a ‘good’ career is. This well-meaning advice is great, but I truly believe you have to answer these questions for yourself.
No one can determine what success looks like for you; it’s up to you to decide and create on your own.
But the bottom line: to get to where you want to be, you have to be willing to fight like hell for what you believe in, stand up for your perspectives, empower yourself to move forward despite the obstacles in your path, and work. Really, really hard.
No one will give you your dream career. Your boss won’t wake up one day and decide to pass down the company to you. And everything you’re working for won’t magically fall in your lap overnight. Don’t let this discourage you, though. Let it empower you.
Your future is in your hands; don’t be scared of what could happen. If you want to be a business owner, start researching how. If you want to update your website, find someone who can assist you. And if you want to start shifting your career trajectory, find little ways to add your new passion into your life.
Each of these things (and infinitely more!) is possible. Having the badass career of your dreams is possible. And success—on your terms—is possible. You just have to be willing to put in the work.
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