I recently spoke with one of my students about her challenge to find a new job. Like you, she reads these types of personal development articles.
And she invests a lot of time in her own education. After speaking to her, I was convinced she would be an asset to any company that hired her.
However, she didn’t feel the same certainty as I did.
“But what if everybody else is trying the same strategies to get a job?”
Like many people who invest a lot in their education, she assumed that literally every single other person on planet earth is doing the same. And that her chances to land a great job diminished because of that.
I’m here to tell you that’s not the case at all.
In my experience, the percentage of people who invest in their education after school is meager.
But when you’re in a “learning bubble,” it’s hard to believe that not everybody is doing the same things as you. After all, personal development truly works. So you think to yourself: Why wouldn’t everybody use the advice that is widely available on the internet?
That’s why it’s easy to assume that everyone is trying to get ahead.
So if you ever worry about your “competition” at work or in the business world, DON’T.
Even though you might be surrounded by people who learn a lot, online or offline, we’re still part of the minority.
The majority of people still prefer a life of entertainment and leisure. That’s always been the case. And I don’t think any signs point toward a significant change.
Relax & Keep Learning
Lighten up. Relax your muscles. Get rid of that tense face. Don’t worry. And have faith in yourself.
Every minute that you’re investing in yourself will have a return. You just don’t know when that is.
Maybe it’s tomorrow, or maybe it’s in 10 years.
Who knows?
That’s the whole idea behind improving yourself. You don’t know when you need those skills. But there WILL come a time when you can use everything you’ve learned. And in hindsight, it will all make sense.
But looking forward, nothing makes sense. As Steve Jobs said:
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”
You also have to trust yourself. And realize that every single minute you spend on your own education and development, you’re getting ahead of the people who are not.
Sure, life is not a race. But still, you can use the idea that it is a race, to keep improving yourself.
But there’s one condition: Don’t underestimate yourself.
A lot of people say that there’s a difference between knowing something and doing something. They suggest that theory is not as good as experience.
I think that idea is overrated. Both theory and experience are equally important. You can’t pick one over the other. And they are closely connected.
You might read about something first and then do it. Or, you might do something, and then start studying it, so you get better.
It doesn’t matter.
Let go of all your assumptions about learning.
Look at your own skills. And most importantly: Focus on how YOU can help other people or businesses.
Because why would you even care about what other people are doing? That’s just fear.
- The fear of failure.
- The fear of rejection.
- The fear of loss.
- The fear of starting all over again.
So what? As long as you’re getting better, you can handle everything that life throws at you.
Don’t wish your life was different. Accept any situation you are in. Realize that you’re there for a reason.
All that you have to do now is easy: Make whatever it is that you want, HAPPEN.