So, Nike has a slogan (by this point, you’ve already said it
in your head). If you don’t know what it is, you’ve most likely been on a
desert island with no access to any advertising since 1988 when Dan Wieden (of
Wieden & Kennedy) threw out the phrase. That being said, how are you
reading this blog? Why don’t you use whatever technology you’re using to get
off the island? Nike slogan and get out of there!
Let’s focus, shall we?
There are usually a few reasons you’re not in the career
that you want and most of them are your fault. I know, when there are so many
people out there to blame, it’s sometimes hard to take it out on yourself, but here
are some questions for you and the answers can change your life.
Are you talented?
This is a rough question. Especially when you’re not looking
at it objectively. Are you good compared to the best in the field? Good
compared to the entry level? Good compared to someone who dabbles in the field?
Really take a look at your competition. You can easily find them on LinkedIn,
indeed, monster, etc. If you’re good comparatively, awesome! You’re one step
closer to the job. If you’re not, how are you going to get better? Can you
intern (financially and/or is there a place in your locale that you can)? Can
you go to school or take classes? How can you get “good”? Nike slogan.
Are you driven or ambitious?
For the past 10 years, people have been telling me what they
want to be when they grow up, where they want to work, and how excited they are
to get to that position. I’ve got to tell you, it’s adorable. You can tell
every person you’ve ever known how super excited you are to start your new
career, but if you’re not willing to put in the time, the only thing you’ll be is,
ambitious. Telling someone what you’re going to do is fantastic, as long as
there's follow-up. I’d much rather see a reason to get someone a job than to
hear someone tell me to get them a job. Stop talking, Nike slogan.
What are you really doing to reach your goals?
Seriously, what are you doing every day, to stop
talking about what you want to do and doing what you want to do? Are you on
LinkedIn? Is it updated? Are you reaching out to people who could help you? Do
you have connections in the industry and are you making them? Have you reached
out to a recruiter who has already made the connections (I’ve heard that TTS
Staffing (www.ttsstaffing.com)
in NYC is really, really, really good)? Have you updated your resume, had it
reviewed by friends/family/recruiters/etc and then fixed the problems? Are you
working every single day to get to your goals or just waiting for a magic lamp
to rub up against your leg? If you want to do anything you can’t just wait, you
have to Nike slogan.
Are you helping anyone or just helping yourself?
Most likely, this doesn’t sound like it will help you get a
job, but bear with me. I’ve only recently embraced this one. So much of the time,
we forget that there are 7 billion other people who are floating through space
with us. They need help, too. That old saying, “you get what you put in,” is
dead on. Every day that you’re trying to find your path, help someone else find
theirs (in the social media world that we live in, it shouldn’t be hard to do
this). Helping others is just one more way to help yourself. Be honest, be
truthful (these are different), and be available. You never know who you might
know, or who someone you know might know. Nike slogan!
In the end, if you want it, you can get it, you just need to
be talented, driven, willing to do whatever it takes to get your foot in the
door, and willing to help people on your way. In no way is it easy, but it’s
worth it. Finally, you may be asking, why did I start this with the Nike slogan
and it’s simply to show you that just saying it isn’t as important as doing it.
That ad campaign is 25 years old and I didn’t say it once. The work has already
been done and they’re reaping the benefits. You should too.
Nike slogan!
-Jason Donnelly