Here is some of the best advice I’ve ever received. Things that have always stuck with me and have helped shape my view of life and who I am.
When I took my first real job out of college, my aunt (who’s a very successful business women) told me that the first thing I needed to do in my new job was map out my goals. Get to know them intimately. The long term (buy a house)/short term (pay my bills) /fun ones (buy a Louis Vuitton bag). Then once I’d defined them, put the pictures of those goals on my office walls. Back then no one was calling that a Vision Board, but that’s exactly what it was. And it worked even then, I did all three of those things my first year on the job. That has remained with me and every job since I’ve had a vision board on my office wall.
I had always hated doing this. It always seemed A. Selfish and B. Humiliating (I’m not sure why). But if I ever hinted that I wanted something to her, she would always say “come right out and say it. What do you want? Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want!”
This has helped me succeed in business 100 fold. If you dont ask for what you want you will never get it. Ask with confidence. It works in relationships too (but you gotta ask a little nicer).
This may of been the best lesson my mother has ever taught me. And one that at the time I was pissed as hell to learn.
I’d heard through the grapevine that she’d mentioned to my future in-laws (at the time) some rather unflattering things I’d done (in retrospect no big deal, but when your 21 and engaged, everything is a big deal!).
I was so mad at her for relaying this information, and she said “don’t blame me for something YOU did. I just relayed the information, your the one who did it. Never do anything you’d be embarrassed or mad that someone said about you, when it’s true. If you did it, own it good or bad.” I’ve never forgot that lesson.
We all have things we don’t want the world to know, but if they do, it’s our responsibility to own them. But the bigger lesson that has always stayed with me is… before you do something stupid, think: “would I be OK if this was front page news in my home town (or Facebook!)”. Enough said.
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| Sooooo life changing! |
This is honest to god the key to success people. I swear to you. Rid your life of the people who are “haters” or who bring you down, and instead always look for the ones a few “rings” above you, the ones who will push you and keep you on your toes just by being around them. You will learn so much from them, and success brings more success so it will put you in an entirely different place personally, socially and in business.
This came at a time when I needed to hear that BOTH are important in the same decision making process and enabled me to make the right one.
This statement of encouragement, slash question is responsible for making the blog and my story public 18 months ago. Without that push and question I would have hid behind the armor of obscurity where it’s was open to no one reading it… That was the push I needed to fall off my most terrifying cliff, which has changed my life. I plan on living the rest of my life with this motto.
Sarah Centrella is the author of the book Hustle Believe Receive which teaches you how to apply the #HBRMethod to change your life and live your dream.
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Author | Life Coach | Motivational Speaker and single mama. I'm a chick on a mission to prove anything is possible for ANYONE. My story featured in the New York Times, Steve Harvey Show and NBC.
Thank you Sarah, needed some inspiration today.
WOW! The best part is you did it!!
the secret expression is so right! we all know ‘thoughts become things’ and the universe says ‘your wish is my command’ eery time. i tried it – it works. wonderful post, Sarah!