At the End of the Day, What Do You Want Your LinkedIn Position to Read and How Are You Going to Get There?

Everyone wants to be coined something...

• Coach
• Consultant
• Best-Selling Book Writer
• Speaker
• Podcast Host
• Influencer
• Radio Personality
• Advisor
• Spokesperson
• Vlogger
• Personality
• Entrepreneur
• Executive
• Innovator
• Guru
• Expert
• Pro

And beyond....

Thing is sometimes we can wear many hats and it works. Other times you may wear one hat in one niche, and it works. Then sometimes you realize none of it may be your cup of tea.

Que Pokemon Original Theme: "I want to be the very best that no one ever was"...

How do you know if you are going the right path? How do you know when to quit? (I never say quit, I always say adjust your path and thinking as sometimes a door closes to point you in the direction you were meant to go). Start off by asking yourself why? Why do you want to be in this? Do this or that? Notoriety? Fame? To be acknowledged as one who is an "expert" or "guru" in something? To work so hard to be verified on Twitter? (Hey I admit it is a goal of mine, no harm in that right).

Are you committed to sacrificing time? Money? Short-term success for long-term glory? Sleep? Nights out with friends?

But really, figure out your why? Because you thought you had something worth saying that is not only worth being paid for but can make an impact? Do you really? Can you confirm it or are you still dreaming you should be getting paid sharing your story or thoughts in some fashion? No, you do not need a tragic beginning or a horrific thing to happen or a rag to riches story to get into some or many or even all of these categories and be successful, but in many cases, it does help standing out.

Remember... It takes time. There's no get rich quick scheme... Just because you spent the time writing books does not mean anyone will buy them. You do a podcast does not mean anyone will listen. You make videos and no one watches. You have a website with all this and more and no one visits. There's an art to it. There's a strategy. However, you also need to come out of your comfort zone. You need to connect the dots to how someone gains value. You can pay $5000 in ads a week and still may not get much extra traffic because your package is not trendy or appealing. Adjust. Pivot. Change. Don't be so narrow-minded but stay true to you. Network. Network. Network. Relationship building is essential to whatever your goals in life may be.

"Everyone wants to belong, or be a part of something bigger than themselves, but it's important to follow your heart and be true to yourself in the process.” – Emily Giffin

There are 1000 similar initial ideas just like you. 10000 from your own city alone thinking to pursue a career in the same light just like you. Moreover, everyone on this earth is online trying to get someone to look at them just like you. So what you need to do is be ready for hard work, long nights, long hours, working with various groups, learning many different things, and keeping that flame alive even through the ups and downs that is life.

We all need to make money to survive, take care of our family, sustain a certain comfort level, but we also need satisfaction in life, our career, and a sense of fulfilled purpose. Now here's the thing, many times you may not see the full circle until you look back on how many people you have impacted, companies you had helped grow or develop, brands you see thriving off of maybe a few of your efforts in the startup phases, people who are doing bigger and betting things all from you working pro bono when they had nothing more than an idea and a dream. It is all about perspective. So keep the right perspective wherever you are in your life right now and keep going.

Realize that money is not everything. Don't do it for the money do it because you love to do it. So much you would do it for free if you had to. That is when you know you are on the right track. Don't burn bridges. Don't forget where you came from. Don't forget every experience, job, teacher, mentor, boss, client, customer, that got you here. You are worth it. You can do it. Make a change where you are. Be that light. Be that hope. Make a difference with the skills and talents God blessed you with where you are. You would be surprised how much good it will do.

"Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things. ” – Frank A. Clark

No matter how long, no matter how many nos, no matter how many times things somehow fall through, though it is difficult and you just want to give up, those you are aspiring to be all faced the same challenges. With each time, they got back up. We all see the glamor and the name that is now... but let me ask you this, how many of you followed Gary Vee before he was "Gary Vee"? How many influencers, keynote speakers, and so on. Did you watch their Youtube videos from their "early years" when they were not as polished and had a catch phrase? Here's another thing, success does play a big part in taking that next level. What about all the failed attempts to get Facebook up and running or Windows or *insert anything you have ever touched or used*. It was by trial and error, and it took much time, effort, and help.

There is no easy way, no three steps, five steps, 12 steps program to it. There is no one book, video, blog post, etc. that will get you there. It is you versus time. It is you versus yourself. It is you versus negativity and self-doubt. It is you versus your ego. It is you versus every reason why it should not be you. But always ask yourself, why can't it be me? Then go out, work hard, and do it.

As stated, titles, notoriety, money, adoration, etc. is not everything. Recognize what is required of the position you are seeking to have and not just the "glamor shots" you see. With great power comes greater responsibility. Note to get to a certain level, there are plenty of growing pains you must endure first.

“Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.” – Dr. Dale E. Turner

Also to aid with what inspired this quick piece, see Mark Schaefer's transparent piece on how he makes his money here. He shares and emphasizes that it took much time and he built his brand, his name on networking, putting in that extra effort, and not being narrow-minded working on a plethora of avenues at the same time adjusting accordingly.

Until next time,

T out.

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Thanks for reading! You can learn more about me here.