What is Hurting You the Most? And Five Solutions to the Problem

Media today constantly portrays the perfect American Dream and what it looks like: a life where finances are not a worry and we live free and on the edge. The media tells us that we need to be smart, fun, edgy, up to date, dedicated, and a number of other various adjectives in order to accomplish this goal. I get it…we all want to be the next phenomenon and claim our victory. The problem is very few individuals actually know how. Everyone wants to be successful, to thrive, make lots of money, enjoy time, provide for loved ones, and leave behind a legacy. But following the average path that most media tells us to follow as a means to finally arrive at our peak is not the right path!

Have you noticed that many individuals who have been highly successful have promoted different philosophies on how life works, how to approach your goals, and how to reach the point of “living the dream”? Why is this? The answer is simple, EVERYONE’S dream is different and every person’s tactic to get to there is different. There is no “one-size-fits-all” program that makes successful people and shoots them out. If such a process existed then everyone would have the best career doing exactly what they love and have financial freedom and time to spend with their families. Look around at our world today. According to Conference Board (a non-profit in New York), 52.3% of Americans are not happy with their work and careers. This is a problem! Why are we choosing to settle?

Every person is unique. No system will ever work for 100% of the population 100% of the time. You can’t just mimic every move someone else made and expect to be as successful as they were. You have to think of how you function and what you can do to make it work best for you. Copying is the big killer of people’s dreams today. When you let your dreams conform to the person you look up to then you are committing dream suicide.

So what does work?

• Staying true to yourself. The ONLY way to be successful (and happy at the same time) is to stay true to who you are. Live and die by this rule. It is a struggle and a fight to consistently not fit the mold but it will be worth it in the end!

• Build Character. You want to get somewhere? Great! Show dedication and commitment by working hard and being passionate about the work that you do.

• Invest in Yourself. It is said in nearly every motivational video out there because it is true. How can you continue to grow a business or a passion if you are not continually growing yourself? You can’t! Take time and spend money to invest in your mind, your mental wellbeing, and your physical fitness.

• Be Well-Rounded. Know what is going on in your world. Do not become so specialized that you can’t speak at least slightly intelligently about other aspects of life and business.

• Believe. In order to succeed you have to believe that you can. Going in with a negative attitude will only produce negative results. Engaging with a positive attitude will produce positive results. And remember…failing is okay! It will happen, but it is not the end.

What do you think?

Is this what is hurting the average Joe who wants to succeed in the workforce? Comment below!