A lot of us are information junkies (and I mean that in the most endearing and non-judgmental way). You name the article, we read it. You name the course, we took it. You name the influencer, we followed him or her.
But the problem is this: With too much information comes the inability to stay true to your brand story.
In watching everyone else, you can lose touch with your ability to sift through what’s right for you versus what’s right for someone else.
Have you recently taken an honest assessment of your goals? Do you have a clear picture of where you see your life in five years or even two? Are you “doing” and not just observing?
There are many great examples of “how-to” succeed but only you can define how to succeed your way. In fact, I wrote From Nine to Thrive because I wanted it to be a book that guides the thinking process in a personalized way. (You can check out the complimentary workbook to get an idea of some of the exercises I walk readers through based on the concepts in the book.)
Defining your own path is important because what works for others may not be the best option for your unique lessons, your unique circumstances, and your unique journey.
Read and explore. Soak up all the good stuff many teach through their own personal stories(myself included). But as you envision your life as it is now versus where you want it to be in the future, remember this: The only path you should follow is the one that unfolds just for you.
Marietta Gentles Crawford is a writer, personal brand strategist, and author of From Nine to Thrive: A Guide to Building Your Personal Brand and Elevating Your Career. With over ten years’ experience climbing through top corporate and government brands as a writer and trainer, her passion is inspiring professionals to dare mediocrity.