Step 6: Kick Ass

I usually don't use profanity but I needed to be honest about what is supposed to be happening when you are adulting professionally. Society keeps saying we were taught to participate and get a trophy but I reject that like the ATM did countless times before I learned how to balance a bank account.

Our goal is to find a field, profession or industry that endlessly peaks our curiosity or constantly fuels our desire to know and do more. When you find this, kicking ass because easier to manage. I'm not saying it will be easy but you will be motivated through the challenges because of your curiosity and passion. And for the record, if we meet, that is what I'm judging you on. 

I know society has you thinking that life is judgement free or hater filled and to some extent that might be true in certain environments - just not the workplace. There...in the workplace...you are being judged from the interview to the exit. The good news is that it is without an automatic implication of hate or jealousy. This judgement is based on factors that help people determine how you measure against a standard. The purpose of this judgement is to help you get and do better... you know, kick ass. 

So make that your daily goal. Not to just show up and do your job but to outperform yourself from the day before. Here is something you may not realize. Your career is your choice and so the old adage of "If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree" falls short. If a fish decides that tree climbing is its passion but doesn't adapt or develop the skills necessary to do so, the fish has failed.

As a proverbial fish, your job is to find an environment that allows you to thrive and excel. Judgement, if done correctly and appropriately, will help you eliminate the environments that don't allow for that. So while you crave to be judged on the unique perspective and ability, you may be a fish out of water or needing to develop additional skills to help you climb successfully.  It isn't to say that you can't climb the tree but you can't expect people to not judge you on your ability to climb even if your aquatic perspective helps you to better manage when rain falls.

Our goal is to find a field, profession or industry that endlessly peaks our curiosity or constantly fuels our desire to know and do more So figure out where that is and swim there. Besides, given the vast opportunities available to explore the professional landscape, the ease of entry in becoming an entrepreneur and the overwhelming number of places to become educated in specific skill sets, why would you choose to stay somewhere that only inspires you to be mediocre?