A few days ago, I was running down the West Side Highway in New York City, staring at the Hudson River. The usual ferries and tourist boats were missing (NYC is still partially shut down), but the water continued to flow. That’s the thing about rivers – they continue to exist, flowing ceaselessly, every day, through each season, and every type of weather. Rivers are there regardless of who chooses to swim in, wade through, or float over them.
Success is just like that – it’s always there for anyone who’s willing to dive in.
Our professional lives are like a river that we’re rafting down. Once you get into the river, you’re going to move. There might be rapids, your canoe might tip over, and you might get wet. But once you get in the river, you’re moving toward success. And here’s how you need to think about success: It isn’t an option. It’s not an IF. It’s always there, just like a river. You can see it just ahead, where the water is going. All you have to do is get in.
Ryan
ACTION PLAN
Move toward success with these action-oriented ideas:
Productivity is a direct result of action. Many of us have big dreams but then fail to put them into motion. If you need help getting motivated and into a productive routine, following BestSelfCo is a good idea.
Simply put, this brand helps you think bigger and achieve more with simple daily tips to make you more productive. They offer journaling advice, inspiration, time hacks, research, and a supportive Facebook community, all with the goal of helping you achieve your goals.
It seems like everywhere you turn these days, people are talking about Brené Brown.
The University of Houston social work professor has become synonymous with self-help, spreading a gospel of “courage-building, shame resilience, and uncovering the power of vulnerability” through her books, lectures, and mentorship programs. After her 2010 TED talk went viral, Brown launched into fame, appearing as an expert on Oprah’s SuperSoul Sunday series, writing five bestselling books, and eventually landing a Netflix special, The Call to Courage, in 2019.
Brené spent decades researching some of the most universal topics in life: courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Where Brené went a step further is to suggest that some qualities we perceive as “negative” could actually make us stronger, happier, and more successful. For example, in her 2010 TED talk, The Power of Vulnerability (still among the top five most-viewed worldwide), she shares how her research revealed a direct link between courage and vulnerability.
Vulnerability is often thought of as a negative or “weak” trait, but Brené believes that by being vulnerable, what we’re actually being is true to ourselves – and we can be more courageous and do more in life as a result.
Brené describes her younger self as a classic perfectionist workaholic who used exhaustion “as a status symbol.” She realized through her own research that she was not living a “wholehearted” life. Looking at (instead of running from) her own shame, fear, and vulnerability, she discovered, could actually lead her toward a more fulfilling career and personal relationships. In other words, she began to practice what she preached, and as she rolled out her research to the world, her own success grew in direct proportion to how much she was inspiring others.
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