The Road Less Traveled

The Road Less Traveled

create Gina Dunn watch_later December 28th, 2020

Wild, as in short for the wilderness. Everyone likes to dream about the road less traveled. But have you ever taken it? Have you ever gone roaming around the woods? I don't suggest you try it without a map and a compass unless you want to end up on the news. However, luckily you are simply marching towards a vision, which at times you will feel lost. You can't really make a map of a place you've never been to before. However, you can have a goal or milestone that gets you closer to the destination.

High Five: 5 tips for making the PLAN real.

Create Your Markers of Success

What would need to happen (or you would need to do) to let you know you're moving in the right direction? Is it knowledge? A connection? Acquiring your first customer? Getting a job interview for your new career? Write down 2-3 milestones such as these. You're going to feel lost, but if you can just get to the next milestone, you'll know you're moving forward.

Understand Your Peers

Maybe they're people who are going after the job you want. Or companies that you feel are competitors. Just don't call them adversaries. However, do take some time to identify them and run a SWOT Analysis. What are their strengths and weaknesses? What potential opportunities and threats are they not recognizing?

Be Self Aware

Now it's your turn. Take some time to do a strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis on yourself. Also, look at what you will need to do, improve, and know to achieve what you're after. Is there a course you need to take, a group you need to join or a wardrobe you need to buy?

Connect to Understand

Speaking of groups, join one, create one, or even lurk in one. This actually isn't the wilderness after all. You can learn a lot from attempting to go where you're trying to go or who are already there. Whether you're launching a business or going for a new job, remember to at least listen in conversation. And you do decide to join the conversation, remember not to talk at, but instead, converse with.

Stand Out

Figure out what makes you unique. Don't know? What is everyone else doing? Now how can you go one step further? Looking for a job. Don't just show up to an interview with a resume. Show up having done research on how you are ready to solve some perceived problems. Have business? If everyone in your industry does x, look to another drive to see how you can incorporate what they do into what you offer.

The Road Less Traveled