Now What?® Coaching

from Laura Berman Fortgang

beat the odds

Now What Q&A: Beat the Odds

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Today’s question comes from a member of our community who participated in a recent Community Call and is answered by Laura Berman Fortgang.

Question: After a career in sales, I’ve decided to go for acting. Over the last few years I’ve taken some classes, done a TV commercial, and have received positive feedback. I know it’s a long shot. I’m in my late 50’s and it’s a risk financially. It’s a challenge and feels scary but I also know that I haven’t been able to make anything else happen career-wise. What do you think?

Answer:

You’ve clearly stated this is something you want to do and if that’s the case, you’ve got to be the one to beat the odds. That’s the frame of mind you’ll need to be in and applies to anyone, whether you’re in the middle of a job search, starting a business, or any other endeavor. Treating it like a business every day is also important. That means putting some structure around the actions you need to take, for example: finding an agent, going to a certain number of auditions every week, and taking some action every day. Keep taking acting classes and spend time with positive people.

In order to move forward with something that’s risky, ask yourself: If I never got paid, would I still do it? If you’re answer is yes, that means you might really love doing it, regardless of whether it turns into your full-time employment. Also ask yourself: How much time can I give myself with no regrets? For instance, can you give it a year? If your answer is yes, go do that without looking over your shoulder and find the joy in it every day. If after a year there’s no traction with this direction, you can reassess.

JUST SAY ‘YES’ AND BEAT THE ODDS

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by Now What?® Coaching Founder, Laura Berman Fortgang

Weather, global finance, national recovery: It’s such a time of negative, gloomy news that it’s easy to get dragged down. There is plenty of evidence that the gloom and doom is true and may be apt to set your expectations accordingly.  But should you?

Absolutely not!

As naïve as it may sound, there is no better time to become determined that YOU will beat the odds!  In recent weeks, I’ve had clients get great job offers, sell a home at a good price, get more work at a higher fee than previously and land a seemingly miraculous opportunity.  In a time when those things are supposedly scarce, how did these people do it?

They said “YES.” 

First of all, they said yes to themselves.  They knew they were worth what they wanted and they behaved accordingly.  They asked for what they wanted instead of underbidding in fear that tough times could not accommodate their true wants.

They made a YES list.  They were specific about what they wanted, how much they wanted to be paid and the conditions that would surround getting the result.  So, it wasn’t just selling the house; it was selling the house for more than was needed for the next place, to people they were happy to sell to.

Finally, they also entertained every offer or step with an open mind.  They did not judge or become jaded. They were open to meeting anyone who showed up in their life as a possible vehicle for the next step in getting to their goal.

Whether it’s a job search, starting a new business, growing an existing one in a new direction or taking on some other thing that conventional wisdom balks at right now, be THE one that beats the odds.  It really just a matter of saying YES.