Operating With Direction
How often do we find ourselves playing the wrong tune in the grand opera of life? Far too often, I’d wager. And why? Because most of us operate without a North Star. Now, I don’t mean waiting for divine intervention, but rather the distinct lack of strategic alignment between what we say we want and what we do daily.
Look, it’s easier said than done, right? The modern world is filled with alluring sirens singing songs of instant gratification and shortcuts. The Instagram-fueled universe makes us believe that the race to success is a sprint and not a marathon. But here’s the raw, unvarnished truth: for every overnight success you see, there’s a decade of grinding that you don’t.
Your vision, that North Star I mentioned? It’s the distilled essence of where you want to go, the stage you aim to conquer. Every decision, every move, every refusal should be a deliberate step towards that endgame. It sounds easy on paper, but requires the guts to look at your day, your tasks, and toss out the fluff that doesn’t get you closer to your vision.
And you know what’s the hardest part? Saying ‘no’. It’s rejecting the tantalizing opportunities, the shiny new projects, or the persuasive colleague who promises the moon but isn’t aligned with where you want to head. It’s a muscle, this power of rejection, and you’d better start flexing it. Every ‘yes’ you give to things not aligned with your vision is a ‘no’ to your dreams.
Prioritize. That’s not just business school jargon; it’s a lifestyle. Are you going to network with industry glitterati because it sounds fun, or because they’re the gatekeepers to your dream? Will you prioritize that project because it feeds your ego, or because it’s a ladder rung to your vision?
I’ve seen too many bright minds getting caught up in the razzle-dazzle, forgetting their path, and then wondering why they feel unfulfilled. Don’t be that person. The world doesn’t owe you a favor. If you want something, carve out that path, brick by brick, aligning each stone with your vision.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with this: Vision without action is just a dream. Action without vision is merely passing the time. But action aligned with vision? That’s the sweet symphony of success. So, decide which opera you want to helm, and let every note, every crescendo be purposeful. The applause at the end? Well, that’s just the bonus.
Brian Fink is the author of Tech Talk To Me. He takes on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplifies them for the modern recruiter. Fink’s impassioned wit and humor tackle the highs and lows of technical recruiting with a unique perspective — a perspective intended to help you find, engage, and partner with professionals.
