Some Thoughts on Success from a 25 Year-Old
I love seeing others succeed, especially those doing things I want to be great at some day. However, as happy as I am for them, a big part of me wonders, “How do I get there?” At 25, here’s what I know so far.
CAREER VISION
It starts with having a vision. As I continue to mature and become more self-aware, I have a pretty good idea of where I want my professional life to go. For those of you who don’t know me, I want to become a full-time writer and lifestyle entrepreneur. As a writer, I want to build an audience around the the ideas and topics that interest me as well as write bestselling books. As a lifestyle entrepreneur, I want to run a small business that allows me to earn enough money to live comfortably and on my own terms. By combining these two aspirations, I want to connect with people across the globe and inspire them to pursue work they love and design their lives. If you asked me for more specific details about the type of books I want to write or business I want to start, I could give you an idea, but I’m honestly still trying to figure it out.
UNDERSTANDING SUCCESS IN YOUR INDUSTRY
Everyone’s path to success is unique. Depending on the type of work, that path can be more clear for some than for others. For example, more traditional industries like Finance that have existed for decades have more defined career trajectories that can be replicated from generation to generation. On the other hand, success in newer industries like Social Media is less of a clear picture as people who are excelling at those companies are currently writing the rules for success. It’s a more iterative than a tried-and-true process. Success for artists and entrepreneurs falls somewhere in the middle of this spectrum with people both following the blueprint of predecessors and creating their own.
MOVING TOWARDS SUCCESS
Regardless of how clear the path to success is, I think it’s most difficult for people who know what they want to be successful at, but whose current situation is not aligned with that vision. In other words, if they don’t do something to change the way things are, they’re going to succeed at the wrong thing. That’s perhaps life’s biggest tragedy.
While a lot of people (yourself probably included) can relate to that feeling of being stuck, we’re fortunate to live in a world that allows us to pursue what we really care about while still holding a full-time job. I’m talking about what you’re doing from 7 pm — 2 am to move you towards the type of person you want to become on your path to success.That might mean networking with people in an industry you’re trying to get into. Or studying for the GMAT to pursue a masters degree in a field that always interested you. Or, in my case, trying to build up a following for my writing and starting a business.
The key here is rather simple: PUT IN THE TIME AND TAKE ACTION. Talking about your aspirations as if they will magically come true without actually dedicating the hours and effort to make them so is another one of life’s tragedies. Don’t be that person.
Action > Words.
THE HARD PART: FIGURING OUT THE TACTICS FOR SUCCESS
Okay. You get it. You need to start on your path to success by spending time doing the things you love that match your vision.
However, what specifically should you be doing that will get you there?
This is something I struggle with. I recognize the need for patience before success comes to me, but I also want to be smart about working towards my writing and entrepreneurial aspirations. With so many success stories and blueprints out there, it’s overwhelming and hard to cut through the noise.
I think the best way to get there to continue to be a student, whether it’s getting tips from mentors, constantly studying what’s working for others or experimenting on your own. Through this learning process, you need to keep what sticks and throw out the rest.
You can’t expect that things will happen for you the same exact way they did for someone else in the same industry. At the end of the day, the path to success will will ultimately be your own.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I feel like I’m making some progress towards what I want, but I need to keep up the momentum and continue to up my game. The success will come as long as I keep putting in the work and believing in myself.
We’re all writing our own stories here. Let’s document them and inspire others. Join me on the journey to success.
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