Taking Your Next Step (Part 3 of 3): Take Action

Guest post by Kevin Flora (Cross post from kevinflora.com)

Okay, so you have evaluated and worked on changing your personal learning network from the first part of this series. You found so much success that you decided to read part two and make strides toward your professional learning network. Through these two steps, you have been able to really see the influences around your life that have shaped and molded you into the current being you are today. You now understand how you obtained a life of monotony and lack of freedom to explore and innovate. Now you’re here, wondering what your next step is in becoming a better version of yourself. The next step consists of two words: TAKE ACTION!

As an individual with your own thoughts and personality, you can do anything. Financial hardships and hurt relationships aside, the ability to partake in any action depends on you. Most every situation has two choices. You can choose to continue down road A or change direction and start on road B. Here are a few choices to consider as you think about taking action:

Apply to a new position – From an employer standpoint, it is easy to write a job description for a person who may not exist. By doing so, I automatically rule out lower qualifying individuals and receive inquires about people who know they can fulfill the job requirements despite the prerequisites. As an employee, I have found life disheartening in the job search as I see that I am not qualified for 99% of the posts. Take the plunge and reason to the employer why and how you can be better than what he/she is looking for.

Enroll in school – Have you thought about going back to school? Wonder if it’s necessary? Here’s one perspective… it can’t hurt you. Sure, the financial responsibility and time commitment can be a bit concerning. A higher degree shows that you can do anything because you set your mind to it. Being a non-traditional student shows you are able to think outside the box and be someone now that you weren’t able to be or didn’t think you could be earlier. Better yourself by getting back in school.

Challenge yourself – Get out and do something new. The first time I went repelling off of a 400-foot cliff, I was hit in the face with the thought of life being over. Leaning horizontally off of a cliff face with nothing but you holding onto a rope is a bit dangerous. What I gained was a fresh perspective on the point of life and the emotions I wanted to experience for the remainder of my life. I welcome my new perspective with open arms, but it wouldn’t have come without the challenge to do something I had never done before.

You want to be someone that you have never been before? It’s time to get going on your new life. Today is an opportunity, which didn’t exist yesterday. The decision you make could define the rest of your life. Or you could continue down the same path, growing increasingly dissatisfied with your personal and professional relationships. The next 10 years are in your hands, so what is your next step?

IMAGE credit from Flickr user Archbob.