5 Critical Tips to Remember on Your Journey Toward Success and Self-Discovery
The identity story of the modern millennial or rising gen-z can look like anything from a traditional four-year degree to entry level job or YouTube channel to start-up brand. With respect to either path comes the pressure to deliver on the ultimate ‘best life.’ In my own journey, I regularly experience the precursor to success fatigue, or a term that I have coined as, dream-drained, or the act of tiring from the hustle that is the game of life.
As a fellow millennial trudging through my own path toward success and self-discovery, I have earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. I have started, thrived in, and left a career; and in starting my own brand and working to craft my idea of the ‘best life,’ I have learned 5 Critical Tips to Remember on Your Journey Toward Success and Self-Discovery:
When they tell you to watch the company you keep…Sometimes your community may have every desire to lend a hand but, may not know exactly how to help you. Be willing to teach people how they can support you. Make it easier on yourself and them by giving them specific directions. If you want someone to take photos of you at your event, tell them what kind of shots you want to see. If your dream requires a lot of studying, tell your roommates or family what kind of environment you need for the most focus. Watching the company you keep is about setting boundaries for yourself and others.
When they tell you not to forget where you come from…How often have you analyzed your life for all of the positive or life-changing experiences you have had? Most of the time, we look back at all of the people we should not have dated or things we probably would not do again. What about the parts of your history and where you come from that have always brought you joy? As you move toward success and find yourself in new spaces, consider the parts of your background that added positive things to your personality, life and unique leadership style.
When they tell you that the field is over-saturated listenwisely. The best thing about being on your path to success and self-discovery is that you are the only one on it, however, that does not mean you should ignore societal trends with respect to different fields. Remember that the your journey is less about the destination and more about your willingness to discover yourself along the way.
When you pay too much attention to what other people are achieving… When you allow yourself to get so wrapped up in what other people are doing, you sign up for a whirlwind of disappointment. Once you zero in on one person who triggers your insecurities about where you are in your own life, you willfind five more people who illicit the same response. You cannot let anything have that kind of power of you and your self-esteem. Remember that as long as you are making an effort every day toward your goal, you are exactly where you need to be.
When you feel like no one supports you… Understand that your journey is only yours to prioritize. You cannot expect your parents, partner, friends or anyone else to make your fulfillment a primary goal in their lives. You can still enjoy the parts of each relationship that feeds you mentally, emotionally, or spiritually without getting all those things from every person. It is undeniable that you will need to rub elbows with the people who are living your dream. Try to seek out events, conferences, fellowships, or any other opportunities to connect with your future cohorts.
