Shoveling Dog Poo

This week has been anything but boring. And it has brought so many topics to mind that I couldn’t possibly put into one blog post… because then it may get confusing. Like my week has been. Understand? Let’s continue.

I’ve recently come face-to-face with a theory (that I, too, have fallen a victim of). How do you measure the success… of you? So many people measure their success by comparing it to how successful someone else is; by their qualities and their skills. What? That actually makes no sense.  I've had a recent wave of Zumba students approach me about getting certified, but then state their apprehension because their "body can't move like mine."  I'm sure it doesn't.  We are completely seperate bodies.  But it does MOVE!  Don't think I don't see you workin' back there.

Why compare yourself to others? No one in the world can do a better job of being you than you. And – for that matter, can you name the second person to stand on the moon? The second person to create a light bulb? The second lady to sit in that exact seat on the back of that bus? 

Before you can achieve success, you need to define what it means to you. What do you want? By the way, have you asked for what you want? Chances are, you are not employed by mind-reading Edward Cullen. (THAT… would be a definition of success.)

Also – I truly do believe a huge part of success is passion. I’ve heard many battles about the advice of “doing what you love.” Some people believe that this is crap career advice. These people justify this by explaining that you should work for the sole purpose of achieving the REWARD you’re passionate about. Here’s what I say to that. Is that reward guaranteed? Are you going to wake up at 95-years-old realizing that your journey did not lead you to that reward? And that you spent 95 years shoveling dog poop in hopes of getting… that really fancy … reward that shoveling dog poop gets you? (In spite of that really bad analogy – I would still like to move forward and note that my point was still golden. As most of my points are. This is all about me by the way, have I told you that?)

Passion is a key element of success. Babe Ruth didn’t wake up one day and say, “Today I will work to be the best accountant.” It just wasn’t his passion. But if it was – I’m pretty sure he’d work with WithumSmith+Brown. (How’s my raise lookin’ now, boss?)

I truly do believe you can mix your passion (what you love to do) with some creativity, relevance, discipline and innovation and ultimately create a wonderful balance of success.

Sometimes I joke about opening a Zumba studio / bar / bakery / Twilight fan base / dream interpretation / business extravaganza establishment. It sounds crazy. But is it?

Could be. But then again – the Marketing Coordinator of the Certified Public Accounting Firm gone Zumba Instructor wearing Hannah Montana socks just asked that.