The Best Advice I Ever Received

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I participated in the co-op program at Drexel University, and throughout my journey at Drexel I came across many different groups of people and individuals. The great part about having all this work experience is that it lead me to people who were successful and gave me the opportunity to learn from those individuals.

One individual, who I worked very closely with during one of my co-ops, gave me the advice to realign my daily actions and step up my game to achieve the life and future I want. He told me to work hard and push through the negatives, to be persistent and hungry for more.

It took me some time to understand what he meant, but he asked me one day, “What are some of your goals and dreams?” When I had told him what they were, he asked, “What are you doing right now in your day-to-day life to get closer to those dreams?”

I didn’t have an answer for him. Here this man is, late 20’s professional, who makes six figures a year, asking me what I want to do with my life and I am explaining my goals to him. He helped me realize that I wasn’t taking enough action to achieve what I wanted to.

His advice: I needed to solidify my career path and map out the next five years of my life. I was immediately hit with this energy that if I don’t take some small steps and actions now, those dreams would stay dreams rather than become realities.

I’m not saying I have every day or year figured out completely, but I have a game plan for myself and what I can improve on in myself and my mindset every day to make sure my life isn’t going to waste.

Having a career is very important, but understanding your passions and dreams aside from your career is even more important. He told me to let my career guide me to where I want to go, and allow me to connect and rub elbows with people who can help mentor me along the way.

Now I have a question for you: if someone you know, who makes the income you desire and lives the life you can only dream about, asked you what your dreams are and what you are currently doing to achieve them, what would you say?