You are the Captain

Being new to the working world, I had a similar thought process, “earn a paycheck, pay off my school debt.” At work I was focusing on building up the company's brand, image, and increasing their revenue, but I did little for myself. Thankfully, I woke up one day to this very realization. I need to help myself develop the brand of “me.”
I've seen so many people make the mistake of just working for the paycheck and end up stuck in a job they're tired of. Hopefully starting early in my career with this new mentality, I won't end up in that same position.

I think the thing I take away from this is the fact that we all need to ensure we have the proper levels of personal responsibility for our lives, the direction(s) it may be going and the outcomes we are expecting.

I have 3 step-children, and two of my own children (aged 19, 18, 17, 9, 8) and one thing I keep trying to instill in them is the simple fact they control what they do and where they go in life. Sure there are always outside variables, obstacles to overcome, but ultimately their success and/or failures depend a very, very large part on their actions, reactions and how those meet their needs, wants and desires.

I look at myself and hope it's a prime example to them – I have been in IT for 14 years, starting right out of high school. At one point I was a contractor to IBM for $36k/yr without one college course taken at all and only being 20 years old. I took my thirst for technology and built it – with many late nights, long days and great effort.

When I realized web development and design was where I wanted to go – I jumped. I ran. I read books, forums, anything I could digest – actually event went to school and am nearing completion of my Bachelors degree in IT emphasizing web development. All that while being a husband, a dad, a step-dad and many other things those callings make one be.

I don't expect my employers to do anything except pay me the agreed upon amount – and any benefits they offer. If there is more, the bonus! Like my current employer – one of the top sports entertainment businesses, The Professional Bull Riders, Inc., is wanting to do some extra training for new technologies for myself and another employee. That is awesome – not expected, not required and surely I do not depend on it being furnished. If I wanted the training, I would have done it myself anyway – that is what I have done before, but if they believe in the direction of the company enough to provide it to better their employees that is one heck of a bonus, right? I think so.

Basically, I took what I loved to do, did what I had to do to learn it, succeed in it and now have a career that has me exposed to many great things. No one handed me anything either – you either do it, or you don't and don't cry when you don't get it given to you without necessary sacrifices.

I feel so inspired. You're amazing. What a great response, Billy.

I love this, Lou. Always glad to see your thoughts here. Thanks for sharing with me and the rest of the community.

And on a boat, a captain commands the vessel to carry out the commands of the larger organization.

We all answer to someone. This much never changes, even when we work for ourselves.

This is EXACTLY the story, Miguel.

I freak about that very point all the time. If *I* starve, I can work harder. If I kill someone else's life… well that sucks.

Darn right Chris. Im the captain of the Starship Destructoprise. I was in the same boat, being at a job and knowing it wasn't the right thing for me. Emptying all my money on travel, books, and trying to pinpoint exactly was I excelling at. Then social media fell into my lap and a huge light bulb went on.

People always ask me how I get so lucky in life, it's not luck. It's working hard, making connections and being myself. It's been a long, long road of college, work, failure and tons of tears.

Yes, paying for conferences out of own pocket. People think I am crazy as I have heard about events the day before, got a plane, a hotel and just went. But then afterwards they look back on all my pictures and the cool people I met they tell me it's worth it. Is it, as Neil Diamond would say… “Hell yeah, it is…”

-Miss Destructo

Awesome post my man. Its a great reminder for me. Every time I come back from work (cell phone company. haha) its like, I hate doing this. I come back tired and push aside working on my site and my script because I have no energy left. I use up all my energy just telling myself I have the control. This post was another wake up call. Thank you!

Growth is never easy but when you have a chance to get what you want! It is all worth it!

Chris:

Great post. Deep down, I probably realized some of this. However, you put it very well and in a way that really hits home with me. I also enjoyed learning a bit of how you became the captain of your own ship

Thank-you Chris.

I feel like I've successfully figured out how to sail differently than others (which is a good thing because based on what I've seen, 90-95% of people don't really have what they want in life). But in doing so, it's like I have become very separated from the fleet of ships moving across the ocean.

I have become my own captain. I don't mind that so much, and I rather enjoy it, but I do find it difficult to reach like-minded people who are willing to take action on what they want to accomplish.

I guess I'm still looking for my sailing group. There are moments and times where I feel like I'm working with others to create something great, and other times where I feel really alone in what I want to accomplish, and feel really cynical about others' willingness to take actions and make changes that make a difference.

I feel like maybe I lack the skills or experience or charisma to be part of that group… that's not really it. I feel confident in my abilities, but why work so hard to share “good news” with others, when 80% of them who say they want “good news” will offer excuses about not having time to make changes, and would rather watch the nightly news and program their minds that way? And how do I find the 20% who really will make a difference, without being overrun and bombarded (and torpedoed) by the 80%?

I don't really know what the solution is there. And I keep looking for an answer to something that doesn't really have an answer.

Jim Rohn would say “Don't be perplexed by the perplexed. It's perplexing.”

You're right… moving faster isn't necessarily the solution. I just sometimes think that if I move faster, I'll get “there” quicker. As you've rightly pointed out, maybe… maybe not… Lots of variables there.

I'm definitely looking for my tribe… my fleet.

I of course have friends and connections who want to see me succeed, and within the business, there are a few people who I've come to rely on in working on projects and outsourcing work to (after wading through SO many people who haven't done what they said they would do).

I want a bigger tribe. I want more connections. I just know that most of the people I connect with won't end up being part of the fleet, because they simply won't take action on the information they receive, and won't take action on what they want in life.

I will continue to work on finding more synergy with more people. I think that is powerful advice. Any suggestions from your own experience on how to go about doing so?

Thank-you again for your insight, and for making the time to respond.

Warmest,

Jonathan

I realized this phenomenon 8 years ago when I was working as an electrician. I was tired of the same thing day in and day out when I started reading about various topics like real estate and marketing.

After 2 years of reading and studying I took the leap of faith into entrepreneurship. I've become the captain of my ship and I've never looked back.

Fantastic post! That is what I love about the economy now! More people than ever will be looking to take control of their lives!

Chris, I love all you be and do!

Wouldn't it be great if everyone applied this? The world would be so much happier!

There are lot of work to be done in captain.Having the right maps aboard and compass to guide are basic necessity.other requirement are a telescope to see beyond the next wave and thirst for exploration and a hunger for reward.

This is very inspiring and so true! In my opinion, too many people set out to do things but never get a proper “compass” … if you don't have direction you won't even know where you're heading, let alone get there. Planning and passion are crucial to be successful.

Cheers,

Marica

watchau.com is a world class professional replica watches provider, we strive to offer replica watches with great prices, and the fast delivery.
http://www.watchau.com
http://www.watchau.com/Swiss-Replica-Rolex
http://www.watchau.com/Standard-Luxury-Replicas
http://www.watchau.com/Swiss-Made-Replica

ancient flame totem
it stops the mouth not to say suddenly. three monster fox in front of it, have stood slowly, the hand extends to the bosom, put out nightfall uggs discount ugg boots both sides to have the red silk guangzhou's magic weapon, was precisely the unreliable fire warning. in this hot flame steamings in the lava burrow, the unreliable fire warning is also short black ugg illuminated faintly blushes, but center it that ancient flame totem, ugg usa as if also will at this moment burn ultra short ugg general, several want to spurt thinly. three monster fox,

open in the ugg uk small ordinary way of seeing things that gentle white clothing female, at this moment is staring in hand's unreliable fire warning, several, some drop of teardrops, have not dropped quietly suddenly in the unreliable fire warning, a moment later, changes to makes the white smoke, curls raises. the book arrives at here, what is really the tear falls the front piece, mourns in one's heart, if dies, compares the author to write about here also unavoidably to stop the pen not to be good, does not endure to continue, that falls quietly waterdrop, but also withers and falls between your mine heart

I borrowed hundreds of books and movies and audio programs from the library in an effort to educate myself and do self research which is quite good thing to share out in the blog.

Very well written. Planning is the main thing that sticks you to your business.