Misfit Entrepreneur
  • Start Here!
  • About
  • Podcast
  • Media
  • Archives
  • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Contact

Misfit Entrepeneur Blog

​

What They Don't Teach You in School About How to Succeed

4/29/2017

2 Comments

 
Misfit Entrepreneur - School
Formal education will make a living, self-education will make you a fortune.

- Jim Rohn
We go to school and learn a lot of things and practice a lot of textbook theory.  Most would agree that when you get into the real world, it is much different than a textbook.  

I have always believed that your real education begins after your formal schooling, and this self-education, as Jim Rohn says above, "will make you a fortune."

I was recently asked to speak to a young millennial graduate about how to succeed and go after what they want in life.  The following is what I told them.

The first thing I told them is that in the real world you are not entitled to anything.  The world doesn't owe you anything.  It doesn't owe you a job or success.  No matter what you have done or what you have accomplished to this point, in all honesty the real world doesn't care.  As far as it is concerned, you are starting with a blank canvas.  The beauty of this is you get to write a whole new story.  But, it is going to take a lot of hustle and having having the vision to size and act on opportunities.  You notice, I did not say hard work.  Not that it isn't needed and there will be times you will have to work extremely hard...harder than you ever have before.  But I know a lot of people that work extremely hard and don't get ahead or grow beyond their current status.  It's not the work itself, it's doing the right type of work that makes the difference.  Many don't ever see the distinction.

What is more important to understand about how you will truly succeed is to develop a sense of resourcefulness and willingness to act on opportunity and make it happen.  This is the secret.  Never say it cannot be done, ask "how can it be done," even if you don't have the resources, talent, or even a clue how to do it.  It you want something bad enough, you'll find the way.  Necessity is the mother of invention and I might add, hustle.  One other thing I will add to this first point is that when you are going for what you want, you are going to put in a lot of time, physical effort, mental effort, resources, and sacrifice.  And after doing all of this, you still may not get what you want.  That is life.  But, you will have grown to whole new levels and learned a tremendous amount of real life skill and knowledge that you need when you decide to get back up and go again.   That is priceless.  Lastly, get up and go at it again...and again...and again until you reach what you are after.  It will probably not be exactly what you envisioned, but it will be in the ballpark and who knows, it may be even better than what you thought.

The second thing I told them is that if you are going to do go after what you truly want, then you need to take a big step back and get clarity on what that is.  Most people don't get what they want because they don't know what they want.  In our 24/7 world with an alert every second on our phone and 15 shiny objects in front of our face every minute from Instagram posts to text and everything in-between, most people never stop.  They never stop, clear their head, and ask themselves what it is they are really after.

Gaining clarity of purpose is one of the most critical things that you will do for your life and your success. Being crystal clear on what you want will act like a beacon...a guide to keep you on track and make you hungry to get it.  In the absence of it, people wander aimlessly from one thing to the next.  We wonder why the new norm is to have 12-15 jobs in your life.  (that is a real stat from the Bureau of Labor statistics)

Life moves so fast now that it is very hard to slow down and actually do the self-reflection needed to find out what you really believe, want, and get clear on it.  It's hard.  It's not just taking 10 mins to say "I want this."  It is questioning it with boldness and asking 2nd, 3rd, and 4th level questions as to why you want it, why it matters, and how far you are willing to go to get it.  If you can't 100% all in for what you want, then you won't get it.  My advice is to take a few days, turn off the phone, social media, block out everything else and put pen to paper.  Hash it out.  It will be one of the greatest things you've ever done.

The last thing I told them is to start learning.  You must begin to educate yourself outside of academia. Read everything you can.  Read things you don't think you will agree with.  Get a different perspective.  See all sides, then make up your mind.  Once you know what you want, find others that have done the same things.  Read their books, watch their videos.  Study it like you are studying a craft.  Keep a journal of the best ideas and refer back to it regularly.  

And my last point on this was that if you do this, 5 years from now, you will have created a whole different world for yourself and have had some great success.  You will have probably ready several hundred books and writings, but, and this is most important, don't rest on your laurels at this point.  Don't get complacent and think you've learned everything you need.  This was one of the biggest lessons I learned personally.  Keep pushing yourself.  There really is no such thing as enough.  You can always learn, grow and experience more.  Never stop.
2 Comments
Cloris Kylie link
5/1/2017 06:21:56 am

Right on, Dave! So many lessons and insights here. I would add that you might hear the right advice but only when you're ready you'll really internalize it and apply it, which is OK. That's why many times we have to learn from our mistakes. Thank you!

Reply
Dave
5/1/2017 07:53:21 am

Excellent addition of wisdom!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Click Below to Join Misfit Nation and Get Your Free Copy of "The Top 10 Lessons to Thrive and Succeed!"
    Join the Misfits!

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016

    Categories

    All
    Entrepreneurship
    Life Lessons
    Mindset
    Productivity
    Sales
    Success Habits

    RSS Feed

    Follow Misfit on Twitter!
    Picture
    View my profile on LinkedIn
    View my profile on LinkedIn
    View my profile on LinkedIn
© MISFIT ENTREPRENEUR 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  Terms and Conditions.  Privacy Policy.   Affiliate Disclaimer
Photos used under Creative Commons from island deborah- New Book "Song of the Sparrow" vig, Frank Shepherd
  • Start Here!
  • About
  • Podcast
  • Media
  • Archives
  • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Contact