The road to success is often unconventional. But if there’s one thing I learned throughout my own journey, it’s that success doesn’t have labels. There’s a lot to be said about self-belief, passion, and the determination to try. This was the recipe that launched my own story. I was a single mom, living in a cottage on my parents’ farm, and struggling to make ends meet as a waitress. When I got down to the last $125 in my bank account, I made the bold decision that I would become my own boss. A crazy decision? Perhaps. But that’s just another label!
What I came to discover is that some of the most successful people of all time took the road less traveled. They didn’t have a secret strategy or one-size-fits-all blueprint to ensure their success. However, what they all did share was self-belief, passion, and determination. I’ll be honest, I was scared when I invested the remaining balance in my account into my business. I wasn’t sure if cold pitching clients in the hopes of making next month’s rent was going to cut it. But even when it looked impossible or I was faced with rejection, I kept going. And guess what? It paid off!
So if you’re in a place right now where you know you have a big dream but you feel like it just won’t happen, then this article is for you. First, know that this dream is meant for you. Second, understand that it won’t always be easy. And third, know it will always be worth it!
Here are 5 golden qualities to embody to find success and bring your dream to life…
- Tear down the labels.
In order to move into my dream life, I had to become it. This meant I had to shed old ways of being and identities that were keeping me stuck. For me, that looked like a physical relocation from New York to Connecticut. A fresh start! A place where I wasn’t known as the “single mom” or “the girl who didn’t go to college.” These labels were no longer serving the vision I had for my life, so I had to change my environment. I want you to ask yourself these questions too. What is no longer serving you? As you envision your big dream, what labels need to go? What action steps can you take to reinvent yourself?
- Make promises and keep them.
You know how easy it would have been to throw in the towel and give up? Very! And honestly, many people would have understood if I did. But I knew that the fear of not trying would always be greater than the fear of failure. I knew I could help people with their credit and empower their lives through their financial decisions, just as I had my own. This was all the motivation I needed to keep going! When you make a promise to yourself that will move your life forward positively, keep it. Be fierce about it. If it helps, even write out a contract with yourself to keep as a reminder when the going gets tough. You started this dream for a reason, you owe it to yourself to see it through!
- Be confident and honest.
Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? A childhood favorite, right? Well in that story, we’re taught the valuable lesson that slow and steady wins the race. There is no timeline for success. It can be tempting when you first start pursuing your big dream to embellish your way forward faster. But just like our friend the tortoise, I promise that if you show up with full integrity, honor where you have space to grow, and speak to what you know confidently, it will get you much further than any fast-track embellishment. Trust is such an essential component to maintain in every facet of life. So ask yourself, what am I confident in? What unique talents do I have that I can speak to? And use these are your guide posts to propel your success forward.
- Take pride in your persistence.
Back when I was cold pitching clients out of the yellow pages, encountering hang-ups and rejections, I could have started doubting myself and what I had to offer. Instead, I saw it as a challenge and opportunity to keep going. And I’m glad I did! By being persistent, I landed my first client (that covered my rent for that first month!) and continued to gain clients and referrals thereafter. Sometimes it feels like our brains are wired to focus on the negative. For example, you could receive hundreds of compliments and it will be that one tiny negative comment that lingers in your mind for days. Don’t let this set you back or keep you from your dreams! Let rejection redirect you, and more importantly keep showing up. Consistency is everything!
- Believe in yourself.
While this concept is threaded throughout the sections above, it deserves its own section because it’s that important. BELIEVE in yourself, what you have to offer, and never give up. Imagine if your favorite inspirational leader, author, or inventor stopped believing in their dream and never gifted their talents to the world? What a disservice that would have been. Remember that you also have a special gift to offer the world, don’t give up on allowing others to experience it!
Keep dreaming big and never give up on your vision! This is your life after all, make yourself proud. Be sure to pick up a copy of my latest book, Making It Happen, for more inspiring stories on how to keep going, overcome challenges, and make your dreams a reality. I’m cheering you on!
