I want to share with you today a few key areas that I encourage you to pursue and keep top-of-mind throughout your career journey.
The main message here is to think bigger. This is a theme or saying that many far more well-known people than me have sprouted about. It’s not something that I’ve made up at all. This has always been a theme in my life, without even realising it I was always thinking bigger.
My parents were always business owners throughout my life. Initially my Dad was a house painter. He had his own business and during the booms and busts on the Gold Coast during the 60s, 70s and 80s he kept pushing through.
From painting small residential homes as a solo contractor to painting high rises with teams of painters to coordinate. Eventually, in the mid-80s he and Mum decided to pursue their life-long dream of buying their own General Store out in the country. So, this means that the General Store was a service station, newsagent, post office agency, commonwealth bank agency, grocery store and takeaway!
Looking back, I was always destined to have my own business – it was all that I knew! It wasn’t something that I focused on though as I worked my way through different ‘jobs’ either as a contractor or an employee.
It was all about finding where I belonged and embracing the experience as I went. I always knew that I would find my place and I had to let that road take me there – I had full confidence that it would.
There’s a result of thinking bigger right there!
I do actually remember a time sitting on the school bus when I was in Year 11 or 12 and there was some normal ‘carry on’ towards the back of the bus from the school bullies – stirring me about something that wasn’t important – probably my hair or my pimples. I sat there and I remember thinking ‘you watch, I’ll be back, and I’ll show you what I’m capable of’. There were probably some other ‘expletives’ in there somewhere too that I won’t share with you right now 😊
It wasn’t until I discovered ISO 9001 way back in the late 90s that everything started coming together for me. I thought I was in heaven – how was it possible that this amazing international standard hadn’t landed on my desk earlier! It was like it had been written around all of my values and beliefs – all written in one handy little book for me! It sounds like I’m a bit of a nerd doesn’t it?
Over the years I developed my career in quality, environment and safety systems as an employee and then moving forward as a contractor and freelance certification auditor.
I always had this dream though that my ‘retirement plan’ was to facilitate training just a couple of days a week – that’s where I always saw myself – in front of a classroom sharing what I love.
This dream came about well before my ‘retirement plan’ so I am so grateful for that. And even better we have been able to create our training to be delivered online so I can share it with so many more of you – and around the world too! There’s a result of thinking bigger right there!
Just remember to stay curious
So how does this translate to you and your own journey?
I shared my own story so I could show you that sometimes your path is challenging and other times its smooth sailing, but every experience adds to your own pathway.
There are a few things I want you to keep in mind with your own journey.
The first one is to always think bigger. What is that vision that you see yourself doing or being a part of in the future? If you’re having trouble seeing it don’t force it, just sit with it and it will become clearer over time.
Secondly, stay curious during your journey, your training and even in your work life.
Look at what you are doing now and what your potential is with a curious outlook. This will make the process of moving forward a far more enjoyable experience as your mind will be open to learning rather than stressed about being ‘right’ and restricting your learning.
I also encourage you to stay focused. Really keep focused on what you want to achieve, one-step at a time and enjoy every step along the way. I know sometimes it will feel like there are so many steps in front of you but stay focused on what you want your outcome to be and what your vision looks like.
Trust the process as it will be the right one for you. It is your journey so own it and love it.
Note – this is an excerpt from the ATOL tv, view the video here.