I chose myself

We’re all waiting to be chosen, but why?

It’s what’s comfortable. It’s what we’ve been taught. Go to college, get advanced degrees and apply for jobs. Chosen.

I got my start in technology by choosing myself. No one would hire me so I decided to choose my own path, and in 2002, I received my first check for technology work I completed. Often, we are waiting for others to validate our skills or wait for our percentage raise (or none) during our annual performance evaluation.

The mere fact you fear losing your job, not be able to pay your mortgage and meet other bills is real. No one wants to be out of a job. I was talking to a colleague who recently purchased his first home shortly before our principal announced that we would have job layoffs due to lack of students. After the meeting he was very stressed. He wasn’t even “chosen” to be laid off, but the possibility scared him to death.

New York Times Bestselling Author Seth Godin says:

“If you’re hoping that the HR people you sent your resume to are about to pick you, it’s going to be a long wait. Once you understand that there are problems just waiting to be solved, once you realize that you have all the tools and all the permission you need, then opportunities to contribute abound.”

“No one is going to pick you. Pick yourself.”

Today, I know someone is reading this sitting at a cubicle or office knowing they shouldn’t be there in 2013. What is it going to take for you to make a move? A merger? A layoff? Being chosen is great, but as quickly as you can be chosen you can be let go. Everyone is replaceable. Business and life will go on.

I have always liked this quote from the book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland BY LEWIS CARROLL

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.

“I don’t much care where—” said Alice.

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.

Keith Farrzi says in his book Never Eat Alone “The more specific you are about what you want to do, the easier it becomes to develop a strategy to accomplish it. Part of that strategy, of course, is establishing relationships with the people in your area who can help you get where you’re going.”

“Every successful person I’ve met shared, in varying degrees, had a zeal for goal setting. Successful athletes, CEOs, charismatic leaders, rainmaking salespeople, and accomplished managers all know what they want in life, and they go after it.”

I made a deliberate first step and chose myself. And that’s made all the difference in my life.

What do you need to choose today? Do yourself a favor and start with yourself.