Be More Intentional In 2024!
A practical guide to achieving big things in life (I have followed and will stick to in the future).
We are a by-product of our environment is a statement I read long before I completed my Master's in Environmental Engineering. But it is only recently that I have understood the significance of this statement, and why it is important to work towards improving our surroundings.
The statement You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with is now a cliché, but only a few of us stop to understand what this means.
Before I list the steps one can take to design habits to become successful, I would like to elaborate more on why understanding the depth of this statement matters.
Jealousy within a group
According to social comparison theory, individuals determine their social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others. When someone perceives that others within their group are achieving more success, recognition, or positive outcomes, it can trigger feelings of inadequacy and jealousy.
This is common in the workplace. The job market is designed to assess someone based on their qualification, experience, interests and motivation. Though we now see a big emphasis on hiring people just out of high school, it does not mean that accolades have lost their fair share in giving someone status.
And if you are perceived to have a status your peers can not match up to, they will feel the urge to pull you down. Whether they act on it or not is a different matter.
Limited resources or opportunities
Many coaches who teach about self-improvement emphasize having an abundance mindset because human beings tend to act out of character whenever they feel like losing something that is theirs.
We see examples of such behaviours in politics where a party colludes with another to slander the one likely to be elected because the scarcity of resources and opportunities creates a sense of competition, which breeds jealousy, as individuals fear being left behind or losing out on valuable rewards.
Yet we put more focus on being included in a group, but it should not be at the expense of our potential, as it will only make us miserable in the long term.
1- Be clear on who you want to be
It is easier said than done because every time we get a new piece of information, we want to be someone different, but without this, we will move in circles.
Let’s say you wish to be a renowned author who is at the moment stuck at an HR job. The best place for you to learn and improve your writing is Medium. So, you decided to write an article on a topic you are comfortable sharing your thoughts, but after a few months, your readership is at a number that makes you feel demotivated.
If you leave the path thinking you have not been clear about your aspirations, this means you have a problem with perspective and not clarity.
To understand what you want to do in life, ask yourself the following questions:
- In the past six months, what have I enjoyed doing?
- Do I see myself doing it for a decade?
If the answer is no, ask the first question again. You can use your social media history, web search and other things you spend the most time on. Just make sure that your clarity is aligned with a goal you have in mind.
2- Consciously choose your inner circle
If being an author is a goal, then before you quit Medium, you will look for classes or courses to improve your skillset and get in circles where people have already achieved what you want.
This way, you increase your chances of gaining more clarity on your direction and a chance to have feedback from people who have been in the industry and understand the struggles of walking the path.
The tricky part is finding these people. You can look for them online, but if there is a possibility of meeting some of them in person, make it a point to book the ticket for the event or seminar.
3- Set clear, personalized goals
Once you are clear on the problems you are facing in achieving your goal and the actions you need to take, personalize your journey to fit your time, budget and other resources.
I have been doing this for the past year and I still change my approach to fit the circumstances.
Avoid measuring your progress solely against external benchmarks and focus on achieving milestones that align with your unique journey.
4- Continuous learning and adaptability
You should refine your approach with every new information you receive on the road. For this, develop a habit of continuous learning and adaptability. Stay curious, seek new knowledge, and be willing to adapt to changing circumstances.
This proactive approach not only enhances your skills but also positions you as someone open to growth and development, which is an admirable trait in any field.
Don not fear AI replacing the writers in the short term because changes are a part of the process.
5- Network with purpose
The lack of knowledge and skills may make you feel that you have to talk to as many people in your network as possible, but as you gain more clarity, be strategic with your interactions.
Individuals who share your values and can contribute positively to your journey should be given preference irrespective of how successful they seem.
Networking is not about quantity but quality. Build meaningful connections that align with your goals and aspirations.
In conclusion, the steps you need to take will vary based on your goals and position. But when followed with determination, they can pave the way for success you have been wanting but missing for a while.
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