There is no one road to success. And how you define it might be different from others. Live to what you want to do instead of doing something someone else expect you to do. As long as it is not against the law or hurting someone else. Either you win or your learn.
1.) Before you decide what you want to do with your life, you have to ask yourself these questions.
a.) What are you passionate about?
c.) What are your strengths and weaknesses?
d.) What are your gifts?
e.) Surround yourself with people who are just passionate as yourself in your field.
When I was young, my parents always wanted me to be a doctor but I knew in my heart that I would not cut it in that profession. I just couldn't do it. To much schooling too. Fast forward to high school where I became Valedictorian. There were other students that were smarter than me but I outwork every one of them by understanding what course to take and by studying my butt off. "Persistent,determination, and self -sacrifice." If I decided that I was going for it, I was going to go for it.
In college, I had minor setbacks as I've changed majors and universities. I didn't know what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I wanted to make lots of money, be the boss, and live up to the expectation that I was the high school Valedictorian. Well, I felt flat on my face and had a little humble pie. But I got myself back up and finish with a B.A in business.
Recession hit and I had a hard time finding work after graduating so I had to start from the bottom because I had no experience at that time and I didn't do enough internships. Lingered overnight at Target for two years and was going no where. Took a risk by moving to a new store and applied for a position with more responsibility. In six months, I was able to turn my department from last place to first place. (1/44) By studying the demographic of the area, what time did they come in to shop, what items were acceptable, etc. After getting my new position at Target, I applied at a competitor across the street in a six month time frame and was giving a Produce manager position. I went every where they wanted me to go and filled in whenever.
1.5 years later, Trader Joe called me wanted me to come work for them as their Produce manager on salary and I turned that down. Eventually, I applied for an Assistant store manager with Walmart. I got the job and it was salary as well. But at that time, I was burnt out and I knew in my heart that I did not want to work in retail. I am a natural INTJ and that sort of job was not for me. I did it because it paid my bills and I was still trying to live up to the expectation that I was the Valedictorian of my high school class. If I would have stayed with Walmart, I know for a fact, I would be at least a store manager making $150,000 annually but I would be the Walmart. Because you would basically be there 24/7.
Now, I'm not living to nobody's expectation but myself. I'm doing things that makes me happy and I'm working towards my ultimate goals. I have had setbacks but I have learned from them as well. I have learned about film-making, editing, and special effects. In two to three years from now, I want to showcase a short film either at the Sundance or Cannes film festival. I'm living and breathing film-making 24/7 and I love it. I'm a creative person and this is a field that lets me express who I am as a person. The glass is half full.
