Your Next Breakthrough
The Sky is the Limit
Have you ever seen a new invention, gizmo or product and thought to yourself, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Or heard a one-hit-wonder with a tune so simple, a five-year-old could play it on a toy keyboard?
Then for the next week or so, it’s on your mind - making a breakthrough; that next brilliant idea that could make you rich.
Scrooge McDuck style.
But what does it take to come up with a brilliant idea?
The World is Your…
Maybe it’s just a thought, a dream, a someday.
Something as simple as challenging yourself in the kitchen or taking up a new hobby.
It won’t be possible for all - earn a living doing something you love, but that shouldn’t stop you from seeking something worthy of your time and talent that has the potential to become something greater.
It may take years (as it did for me) to find your calling.
If you’re still searching, use your imagination, look for problems to solve, think laterally, and pay attention to signs the universe presents you.
Signs? What signs?
To understand and give you perspective, here’s a short account of who I am and how this blog came to be.
I love my job and have been doing it for years. It provides daily challenges and utilises both the analytical and creative sides of my brain. I won’t be changing careers anytime soon.
Being single, I have more spare time than most and was in search of a passion project. Something I enjoy and can do throughout life no matter where I am globally. This project needed to have the potential of earning money whilst I sleep.
I’ve dabbled in other money-making endeavours - poker, property, shares, crypto, to name a few, but interest eventually waned or it wasn’t engaging enough for me to work on every day.
I take an interest in and like to be well-informed on a broad range of topics. News and current affairs, tech, cars, food, travel, fashion, you name it.
Family and friends often ask my opinion - “What do you think of...” or “Where’s the best place to get...?”
I’m resourceful and savvy. I appreciate nice things in life without breaking the bank.
The first sign (the universe) presented to me came through someone I dated.
We met online where she told me there was something about my texts - how she was drawn to me by the way I wrote.
Amazing how a skill can develop throughout life without even realising it. Essay writing was never a strong point during my school years.
The second sign presented itself when I had dash cams installed in my car.
Marty’s quality of work, attention to detail and service is exemplary. He and I are torn from the same cloth where perfection is the standard in what we do.
The last and greatest inspiration was The Last Dance documentary.
As a huge Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan fan growing up, the story and insight into his mindset revealed things about who I was meant to be in this world.
It came to me one morning in June. I was going to start a blog.
Through reflection, putting all the pieces together and re-watching the documentary too many times to remember, I have come to realise my innate personality is to help people.
Jordan had an obligation to his fans; mine is to you, my reader, that for at least whilst you’re reading my material, you’re being entertained, educated and hopefully inspired to be who you’re meant to be in this world, whilst giving you an insight into how similar yet different we all are.
Find how you're different and share it with the world.
I wasted no time deliberating; no researching for weeks or months before taking action. I got to work and published my first blog post within days.
It doesn’t take much to start something new. Decide and just do it - it’s that simple.
Be Consistent
My list of potential blog post topics is longer than my “Things I’ll buy when I win the lottery” one.
But with a year gone by since the inception of this blog, writing this post, I’ve struggled. Multiple false starts on multiple topics.
Motivated, I can smash one out within a day, but it’s usually a result of being inspired. That’s often a person’s best work - when they’re passionate about or motivated by something.
In recent times, I’ve not been diligent with my work on the blog, therefore, have not been thinking about it as often as I should.
How can one excel at and come up with ideas for something if they’re not often thinking about it?
Let’s look at it another way:
Have you ever returned to school or work after holidays where everything felt somewhat foreign? You operated a little slower, had to think before doing things you normally wouldn’t think about and it took a day or so to get back into the rhythm of things.
Or take a hobby or sport of yours - something seasonal like skiing is a perfect example.
If you aren’t consistent, your skills decline and time is wasted going through the motions before regaining your confidence and competency.
As I work through this post, I sense that decline. Words and sentences don’t come to me as easily as when I’m consistent. There’s a lack of flow.
Anything you want to excel in, passion project or otherwise, be disciplined by being consistent. “You don’t need to be great. You just need to do.”
You Are Going to Suck
“Struggling? After a year?”
I can hear all the successful bloggers and writers laughing at me.
“Try doing it consistently for ten, then get back to me.”
“There’s no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs.” - Zig Ziglar
We’ve all been there - an apprentice, beginner, rookie.
There’s no getting around it - you’re gonna suck eggs and be crap at something all over again.
But remember, this breakthrough is all about you; challenging yourself to grow, no matter how successful or satisfied you are in life.
There’s always another level.
Who cares if you look stupid or what people think?
Need motivation? Exceed expectations and make the naysayers eat their words. Look back on your past achievements. It’s gotten you to where you are today.
You’ve got what it takes. Do it again.
There’s a lot to be gained by reading, watching and learning from those before you who know the ropes and have made all the mistakes. Learning a new skill is easier than ever before.
But don’t get caught up in analysis paralysis. Action is required for you to develop your own style, learn your strengths and weaknesses, make your own mistakes.
Get out, enrol in a class, purchase the equipment, do something that sets the ball in motion.
The first step is always the hardest to take.
Conclusion
“There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It is why you were born and how you become most truly alive” - Oprah Winfrey
A sense of fulfilment throughout life requires purpose. Something that gets you out of bed each day. Find your calling and go for it.
Don’t let your ego hold you back from your pursuit because there’s potential for it to lead to something much greater. Imagine what you could achieve.
And remember, it’s never too late. Colonel Sanders was sixty-two when he started Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The game of life ain’t over until it’s over.
Be it a weekend market affair, a domestic product or international recognition.
Small fry or big time.
The potential of your breakthrough lies within you.
Make a start today.
