Becoming Who You Want To Be

Climbing all the way to the top of the corporate ladder of success is extremely difficult. How many people can actually fit on that top rung anyway? So few positions, wanted by so very many. The messages constantly being communicated encourage us to “win at all costs”, “beat out the competition”, and “do whatever it takes to win”. That is a lot of pressure to be under. When you do hit your goals ( well, the goals somebody else set for you ), what is the reward? Ever higher goals for the following month/quarter/year! There are the fortunate few who get promoted, though even those “lucky ones” often find themselves with more responsibility and more pressure to achieve.

So how is YOUR climb going? Find yourself muttering any of the following?

“When the promotion comes, THEN I will be happier”

“Once I am making a little more money, THEN I will take some more time to be with family and friends”

“If my team’s goals get met, THEN I will be a lot easier to be around”

“When I am running this company, THEN things will be different”

If “yes” is the answer to any of the above statements……ask yourself this question: Really??

Won’t there just be ever higher goals to achieve? Yet another promotion or raise to get? More stretch goals for you and your team? With all of that pressure, how CAN one enjoy the climb up the corporate ladder of success? The secret is deciding where we place our focus. Since we cannot control what other people do or say and the vast majority of the circumstances we find ourselves in, we are left with how we react to it. Simply put, our attitude. That doesn’t mean “don’t worry, be happy” all the time. ( Sorry if that song is now stuck in your mind ) Our attitude will drive how we act, and if our focus is always on goals that have not yet been met or a promotion that we have not received, it will be mighty difficult to react positively in most any situation. So take the time to “enjoy the scenery” on your climb by gaining a little perspective. Take time to focus on what you DO have and what you HAVE accomplished. It is just this perpective that will provide a more positive attitude and a greater appreciation for your climb. If you are feeling challenged in finding things to be grateful for, here is a bit of perspective for you:

* If you are reading this, you are literate. 20% of the people in the world cannot read or write.

* If you are reading this, you have your sight. There are 40 million people without vision.

* You have access to a computer if you are reading this. Five BILLION people have no access to the internet

* If you are reading this, there is a great likelihood that you have at least some “free time” that is not being spent foraging for your next meal. Eight hundred MILLION people suffer from hunger and malnutrition.

You will find, with a bit of practice, that it becomes easier and easier to find things in your life for which you are grateful. This appreciation for what you have.and what you have accomplished.will bring a shift in how you see and experience your journey. That positive shift in attitude shines through in everything that you do and to everyone with whom you work. And if you truly cannot find things to appreciate about your climb up the corporate ladder of success, perhaps its time to step off the ladder and discover a different path.

Steve Sheeren has been teaching and coaching individuals and corporations across North America for the last 15+ years. He freely shares his expertise and resources for both corporate and home-based business, including an authentic option to climbing the corporate ladder.