I used to think that having a clear set of rules would be the guiding force for success.
While I’ve found that to be mostly true, what’s not said is that I had to be willing to re-examine those rules.
And just because I had set a rule, doesn’t mean other people would follow them.
Doesn’t mean that’s the only path to success.
What are some counterintuitive truths, that have lead to success?
Confidence over Expertise
I had a participant, whose story challenged my set of rules.
And to top it all off? She was really successful.
She had a full time job, but was preparing to transition into full-time entrepreneurship.
Doing tax accounting.
Was she a Certified Public Accountant?
No.
Maybe not now, but certainly not at first.
But because she was confident that she could help people, and that people were confident in her, that they could trust her, she got clients.
Meaning, she was referred clients, who keep referring other clients to her. Her schedule can barely keep up with her current clients, much less take on new ones.
And that flew in the face of my current beliefs and rules, which meant that you had to have expertise in whatever field or area that you want to serve in.
Of course, this didn’t meant that she didn’t know anything. She knows a hell of a lot know, maybe even better than a lot of accountants out there.
But what she did to start, was that she had the confidence to try, to serve people who had a need, and to connect them with people with the expertise.
Then, along the way, developed expertise. Maybe even just hire expertise.
What did this tell me?
It’s easier to develop expertise, or to find people with expertise.
It’s much harder to develop self-confidence, and in turn, have people build trust and confidence in you.
Confidence is a powerful thing.
Finding your passion is not enough
I’d say it’s even overrated, for a variety of reasons.
One, you have to be exposed to a wide variety of experiences, having tried them all, to narrow down one thing that you can call your passion, and then pursue it.
That’s being a perfectionist, and there will always be something negative and imperfect with whatever choice you make.
That’s life. It’s teaching you to live with imperfect conditions, and to soldier on despite those staring you back in the face.
Instead of having, or deciding on just one passion, it’s more realistic to cite several areas where you have deep interest it – a portfolio of passions, if you will.
Second, I’m coming to the realization that passion can be found, but more likely, it is grown and developed.
When you learn to get good at something, then you become passionate about it.
I began to learn guitar, and found all the motions hard. My fingers ached after every practice session.
Then, when I could begin to play chords and basic songs, I started to enjoy it a little bit more.
But when the time came when I could improvise, and figure out songs from hearing them, then I started to enjoy playing guitar a whole lot more!
As you get better with a certain skillset, you get the sense of accomplishment and mastery that tells you that you got good, you’re able to be productive, and that loops back to give you a sense of satisfaction.
More so when the skill is recognized and appreciated.
Instead of finding the “one” passion, why not commit to something you enjoy doing, or that you feel is important to solve, and then figure things out as you go along?
Let your dreams guide the way. If you have a result that you want, but don’t have the skills to get there, then that’s something you can be passionate about – to grow, develop, and learn.
It’s not about the doing, but rather, it’s also about the result that you want.
Redefine the Rules
And begin to reap the rewards.
There is no one way to get the results that you want, but if you’re crystal clear, then there’s only one clear result that you want.
Find what works to get you there.
Even if it flies in the face of what you believe in.
What’s something that has worked for you, even when you first thought that it would not? Please share in the comments below!
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