Author: Frantzer Le Blanc

FM Issue: January/February 2018

It starts when we are very young. Our first teacher or family member asks us a simple question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” We enthusiastically say doctor, lawyer, policeman, firefighter, nurse etc. …. then we start to dream of our future selves in these roles. Now as growing professionals, the same question remains. What do you want to be when you grow up? In response to this question, we state our goals and dream job, but what do we do to actually pursue these goals. Instead of visualizing these jobs coming true we need to act and make a plan to make these dreams reality. The first thing we need to do is …

Fight the enemy within

The fact is we are exactly where we are because of the decisions we made. It is easy to get comfortable and start making decisions to avoid failure or risk and not pursue our dreams. At some point in all our lives, we will all face suffering, disappointment, and we will all fail. But It is what we do in response when facing these situations that is key. Do we wallow in self-pity or prepare for the fight? Alabama football coach, Nick Saban, in response to his 2016 national championship loss said, “I don’t want to waste a failure.” Do not allow failure to keep you from making decisions or taking risks. Rather, embrace it and make sure you learn from every mistake and failure. Do not let your circumstances or situation define who you are and who you will become. And then …

Start with the end in Mind

What is your dream job? What are your career goals? Once you define what these are you can start to plan out your next steps. Where do you need to be in 20 years, 10 years, five years, and even next year in pursuit of this dream? What are the skills you need to learn throughout each step? For example, I wanted to start a public speaking career. However, when I spoke in public at that time, I would stutter and sweat from nervousness. I set a goal in the summer on 2016 to be able to speak at a conference in a year’s time. Throughout that year, I took notes from every person I saw speak, and studied their non-verbal communication. Then I made myself speak at staff trainings and meetings. I volunteered to speak at classes as much as possible and focused on critiquing my performance. I even invited people to come with me that would critique my performance as well. I learned and grew from each experience every time, whether I was awful or good.

I built this skill over the course of the year until I was comfortable. At the end of this past summer, I was able to successfully speak at two conferences. Now, I set new goals for public speaking that are in line with my ultimate goal in this area. There are times when we have to have an honest conversation with ourselves and acknowledge our weaknesses and go after building that skill set.

Look at your goals, and identify the characteristics and skills that are needed to achieve them. If you do not possess those skills, make a plan to grow in that area. You are only a Google search away from being competent in anything! Also, find people in the positions that you want to be in and connect with them. Ask them what it takes to be successful in their roles and what they would do differently if they had a chance. Make these individuals a part of your network that you can go to for advice. Next you need to commit to …

Developing yourself

It only takes one person to believe in you and that person is you! Do not wait for someone to believe in your future. You have to invest in yourself. Start your day by listening to podcasts or YouTube videos that address the skills you want to learn and characteristics you want to develop. Watch Ted Talks and Impact Theory videos of successful people and learn from their stories, failures, and successes. Read books about leadership and develop your leadership style even if you don’t have direct reports currently. Go after furthering your education by pursuing and obtaining industry certificates. Read a book a week, or in a month, that will help develop your character and your skill set.

You can become proficient in almost anything you want. All it takes is time and a commitment to pursue knowledge. At this point, if you do not have people who believe in you, then go find mentors that will help you. Take risks and contact people you want to be mentored by even if you don’t know them. Decide not to give up, and keep trying until someone says yes. You have to take initiative to take control of your life and dreams. You cannot wait for destiny to come calling for you; you need to knock on its door and refuse to leave. Then commit to …

Being a lone wolf

Create your own path and learn to be comfortable being different. Unfortunately, there are more people who don’t go after their goals than people who do. Because of this, you could be on this road by yourself until you are able to surround yourself with like-minded individuals. You need to be OK with this.

Napoleon Hill wrote a great book called “Outwitting the Devil” that talks about this subject. The more you focus on personal development, you will start to find others interested in the same subject and on the same road. Then you can grow your peer mentor network. Feed off of each other, read books together, and challenge each other to pursue greatness.

Do not waste your time. We only have one shot at living on this earth. Do not wait to be motivated to start your process. You have to just act! Remember, when things get tough and you do not see the results you want as quickly as you want them, you have to stay the course. Celebrate the small victories and make sure you make failure a learning lesson and nothing more. Sharon Lechter and Greg Read wrote a great book on professional perseverance called “Three feet from Gold,” which is very inspiring and a must read. Herun Yahya once said, “I always wonder why birds choose to stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth, then I ask myself the same question.”

We have to decide to choose to fly free!

Frantzer Le Blanc is Director of Events and Operations for the UMBC Event Center, OakView Group, Facilities, in Baltimore, Maryland.