Even though you’re not much right now, you’ll end up better than ever.
Job 8:7.
The beginning
An activity, a degree programme, sporting event, a training programme, learning to drive or swim, leadership position all have something in common – initiation. It is a milestone that need not have an end depending on the commitment of the person involved. It is historical, and it is a reference points for what happen after. There are usually uncountable starting points in lifetime. For instance, when you come into existence, the day you stated taking walking steps, the time you started attending school, among others but some usually come with reminisce of how it all began, what you started with, who joined along the line, the challenges faced at the point of launching out, events you would not like to reoccur as you make progress, among other stories.
Life lesson
When you are just starting a business, you are not likely to contemplate having a challenge you cannot overcome since you have factored in likely risks and appropriate mitigating strategies. You trust your intuition because you are original. However, you have watched others starting just like you. The story is a mix of failure and success. You are thinking, “won’t it be my turn to fail?” Failing is not even the issue here rather what you do with your failure when it became apparent. This is because failure will always come at certain points no matter how little. So, the fear of failing should not even be a concern. You failed when you started walking as a toddler because you fell several times before mastering the walk step. Do you always get all your exercises, assignments and practical right when in school? I can say a big ‘No’. So, do not fear failing because you rose after falling several times as an infant. So, when you are big enough with stamina, don’t contemplate failing.
Learning to walk
How then do you start becoming a professional in the real sense, drawing a cue from your growing years as new born or when you are learning to walk? Some initiatives will be highlighted here to help you start taking a more productive decisions regarding your chosen or future career. The order they are presented here does not mean one is important than the other neither are they in order of preference or execution/implementation.
Rest on your belly; crawl; start holding something tight to rise; watch others doing the walk; hold tight and move along; find a guide and take a step at a time; gain confidence by standing at a point; start moving; maintain a balance by taking the first step. Fall, then rise and move; attempt to move towards that attractive item; take the item and try moving with it, even if you will need to drag; stay focus; don’t allow distractions. They were there before; start catching up with that better walker, gradually but steadily; do your ‘little’ runs.
From the foregoing, the following general principles apply to being a starter professional in any undertaken.
Start from somewhere/Start something: It is not enough to conceive an idea or wish to work in an industry. You must do something to make this possible. Rest on your belly if that is all you can do for a start. You may need to start by writing something down on your idea or do a search for the type of position you need in that industry you intend working. Just do something…something.
Look out/ Watch what others are: It is true we may not be conscious of whether that toddler is watching us doing something or not before walking. What he begin to demonstrate later on in life will show he must have being watching his environment – other children crawling or walking or grasping items around the house. You too should start watching other people doing something similar to what you are doing or about to do. That include people around you, or from sources such as the internet.
One-step at a time: Do not stay where you started. Take another step at least you have watch others and seen few things. Get going. Start crawling, holding something tight. Demonstrate you are not an actual beginner.
What if you are guided: Of course, you can. They all started like you. Flying on the eagle’s wings. A mother will be happy to help her baby out. Read their articles, use their resources as they make them available, attend seminar and workshop, use their counselling sessions. You can’t stop learning; you will do same later in your career.
Failure is feedback: You will fail. If you do not fail, you will not learn to do the right thing. See failure as a means to improving on yourself but that is not to be indulged in laziness or laxity. This failure has to do with when you think you have done everything right and something later went wrong. Okay?
Be ambitious: Don’t be afraid to do the unthinkable. We once sang: “Good better best, I shall never rest until my good is better and my better best”. A time will come that you can stand and walk on your two legs; pick objects and move along probably without a guide but you don’t get disconnected from them. As a lad, you might want to pick a dangerous object. You need your parents to instruct you against that decision. Someone collecting it from you – they have to if it can get damage or injure you.
Conclusively, falling is permitted and can be hurting. Stop accepting backing now because you can walk on your own. Don’t be disconnected from your guide, learn to avoid what can hurt or injure you; grow along and start connecting; make attempt to practice each point until you gain mastery. Learning is a continuous process. You cannot grow by being static. You can always get better, be the best and beat the best! Why not start from where you are.
Do share your take and experience in the comment section below.
ThePro 