Do you enjoy where you are right now? Even when you are far from reaching your dream?

Few days ago, my COO brought me to a networking event. It was quite a surprise for me. He didn’t mention that it is a networking event until I was there. It is held by another company who invited many of their potential partners including mine.

That was my first experience and I was speechless. I met many people from Europe and they spoke very fluent in English. Lots of them are people with high position. I met people with big titles such as Senior Manager, Vice President, and General Manager. I felt as if I’m a fish out of its aquarium, went to the sea and meet all the big fish.

Do you know something? I am tempted very much to feel insecure, lousy or even overwhelmed by the event. But I choose not to do so; in fact I am very excited with the event. I took it as an exposure and opportunity to learn. I might have no idea what to talk to them, but I decided to relax, listen and observe them. And these are the lessons I want to share with you, five things that you should never ever postpone, something that you can start right where you are and right now!

1. Proud of who you are

photo credit: lightgazer

One thing that you have to bring for such an event is your name card. The first thing you do when you get to know a new person is an exchange of name card. What people need to see is your position. That may seem unfair, but that’s how people choose who to talk to as it is all about business.

I have to thank Tom Stine for his comment in my article before on the lessons from Kung Fu Panda. He reminded me the following quote that his son has mentioned several times…

I am not A big fat panda, I am THE big fat panda.
~Po (Kung Fu Panda)

The quote taught me to be proud of who I am, even when my position is only an engineer as stated in my name card. I kept on repeating in my mind not to feel overwhelmed or offended by the situation. I imagined myself talking to them… “Sorry Sir, you may not consider me an important person right now, but you will be sorry. I am not AN engineer, I am THE engineer.”

2. Passionate in what you do

You may think that your position is nothing, your job seems like not important and nothing you can do with it. But the first step you can take right now is really doing it passionately. If you need some encouragement, I recommend the following article from Tina Su on how to find passion in your job.

Passion do not exist in the job, it exists within us. Either we find it in us right where we are, or we will never find it. Only within us, can the passions of our soul shine through. The best place to start igniting that passion, is where you are, right now.
~Tina Su (How to Find Passion in Your Job)

photo credit: batintherain

Stuck with the stick
I recently learned to play table football/foosball, thanks to the facility provided in my office. The first few times I played the game, I could not accept the fact that my players’ movements are limited. My players are stuck with the sticks/rods.

I tried to reach the ball while I was actually stuck with the stick. The ball was on my opponent’s hand, and I was still trying to tackle them. The effort was useless. Even more, it opened up my defense, I made it easier for my opponents to make goals.

Somehow, the game taught me to accept that stuck feeling. I learn the importance for us to accept what we do and be passionate about it. At one point of time, you need to take defense position, and another time, an offense position. But in both, you need to accept the position you are, be passionate and do your best in it.

3. Responsible from where you are

Leadership is a decision, not a destiny.
~John C. Maxwell

Many people desire leadership position and take it as a goal or position they are aiming for. Unfortunately, they forget that leadership is something that they can take wherever they are. Leadership is not about destination they need to go for or looking forward to. Leadership is all about decision, it’s all about a way of life, and it’s all about responsibility.

The passion you have can only be seen through the responsibility you are willing to take. It’s not as if you work just because you are paid, you work as if it’s your own company. You are no longer thinking that your responsibility is on the action, the fact that you work from 9 to 5. Your responsibility is for the result you bring. It is the sense of productivity you will get, and that will motivate you even more to do your best.

4. Serve with what you have

Leadership is not a luxury, it is hard work.
~John C. Maxwell

Another common mistake that people have is considering leadership as a luxury. You might be sorry to know that leadership talks more abouta responsibilities rather than privileges. If there is a position that you need to take together with leadership, it is a servant rather than a master.

I met Albert during the networking session, a General Manager of Mach for South East Asia region. One particular character that shines through from him is his humility. He takes his position as a servant rather than something to boast about. He considered his job as doing something that no one else wants to do it. He talked about his position as if it is a general helper rather than a general manager.

Similar to how anyone can start to take responsibility, anyone can also start to serve someone. It’s something you can start right now. It’s better not to wait to have more before you serve. It’s only when you are trustworthy with what you are given, you will be given even more. And this is what I believe… “only a person who feels secure on his/her identity, is willing to take the servant position“.

5. Invest in yourself

The networking event also taught me that in whatever stage of life you’re in, there will be people that dislike you. It’s not your fault, neither it’s their fault. Rather than trying to make impression and make them to like you, you better work on improving and educating yourself. The following quote is really the one that reminds me not to be offended during the networking session.

The only person I can change is me, so I’ll focus on improving, educating and developing myself rather than trying to create a fan club or convince people to like me.
~Craig Harper (I Don’t Like You)

Start now!

photo credit: Mike9Alive

You really have to start now with whatever you have. If you think you’re too far from your dream, you will never achieve it. In fact, sometimes you need to forget about your dreams to achieve them. Raymond Chua put it nicely in his article on the art of letting go.

Success often relates with what you have to do now rather than something that you keep on looking forward to. It’s about living your life right now rather than in the future.

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
~Henry David Thoreau (US Transcendentalist author)

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Thank you!

Living life now,
Robert