“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts
In 2014, I was working at a collections agency right out of college – facing a “quarter life crisis.” Jobs for recent graduates were scarce. I picked the wrong major. I didn’t have many connections, experience, money, or a car. My family would cringe at the sound of my job title. I took the public bus. And I pretty much survived off PB&Js and Ramen.
During my time in collections, I began interviewing entrepreneurs on the side to learn and write about their journey to success on a website I put together over one weekend. It was mostly a distraction – a side project to help me figure out the next step in life.
My side project led to a series of paid writing assignments, learning experiences, a new job – even free products to review.
As I reflect on my life experiences – good and bad – "you make your own luck" rings true.
I noticed my luck began to change for the better when I started showing up as the person I wanted to become – by saying yes to opportunities I knew were going to push me forward and no to anything that threatened to hold me back.
I launched side projects, left one job for another, went to grad school (twice), started a business. At one point, I even said “the hell with stability” and left a senior marketing role to fulfill my ultimate dream of living abroad – which has been my scariest and best decision to date.
Now, I'm working in marketing tech, learning, writing a newsletter for Fortune 500 marketers, running a digital brand consultancy on the side – and now writing this blog.
I don't share this to flaunt my accomplishments.
I share this because more people need to understand that 'making your own luck' is a sheer combination of hard work, courage, and being at the right place at the right time. It means taking control and doing what you can to prepare yourself for the right moment – even if you don't quite know where you're going just yet. And despite your limitations.
Don't wait for opportunities and good things to happen to you. Go get them yourself.
More importantly, start saying yes to the things that excite you – and no to what doesn't feel right.
No one has the 'perfect' roadmap to life because the majority of us are trying to figure out our journey. And it's your responsibility to take control of yours.
Be more courageous, embrace uncertainty, and trust yourself to keep going when things get rough. Otherwise, you'll spend the rest of your life aiming too low, doing too little, wondering 'what if' – stuck and unable to fulfill your potential.
Every day, do what you need to do to be even one step closer to the person you wish to become. Make your story one you are proud of.
Make your life a masterpiece.
Believe in yourself. Be persistent. And start by doing what you keep avoiding.
Send that email. Make that phone call. Apply for that job. Buy that plane ticket. Upload your video.
Do what you need to do now, so you can get where you need to go.
But don't fall into complacency – especially if you're in a position you don't want to be in.
Each challenge you face should be seen as a new lesson – an opportunity to reflect, redirect yourself, and appreciate the good things when they finally do happen to you.
Instead of complaining, take action and consider your struggles part of a better story. The story you are writing.
Remember – you are the artist of your own life, so take control and turn it into something you are proud of.
Do what you can today – and hopefully, luck will find you.
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts
In 2014, I was working at a collections agency right out of college – facing a “quarter life crisis.” Jobs for recent graduates were scarce. I picked the wrong major. I didn’t have many connections, experience, money, or a car. My family would cringe at the sound of my job title. I took the public bus. And I pretty much survived off PB&Js and Ramen.
During my time in collections, I began interviewing entrepreneurs on the side to learn and write about their journey to success on a website I put together over one weekend. It was mostly a distraction – a side project to help me figure out the next step in life.
My side project led to a series of paid writing assignments, learning experiences, a new job – even free products to review.
As I reflect on my life experiences – good and bad – "you make your own luck" rings true.
I noticed my luck began to change for the better when I started showing up as the person I wanted to become – by saying yes to opportunities I knew were going to push me forward and no to anything that threatened to hold me back.
I launched side projects, left one job for another, went to grad school (twice), started a business. At one point, I even said “the hell with stability” and left a senior marketing role to fulfill my ultimate dream of living abroad – which has been my scariest and best decision to date.
Now, I'm working in marketing tech, learning, writing a newsletter for Fortune 500 marketers, running a digital brand consultancy on the side – and now writing this blog.
I don't share this to flaunt my accomplishments.
I share this because more people need to understand that 'making your own luck' is a sheer combination of hard work, courage, and being at the right place at the right time. It means taking control and doing what you can to prepare yourself for the right moment – even if you don't quite know where you're going just yet. And despite your limitations.
Don't wait for opportunities and good things to happen to you. Go get them yourself.
More importantly, start saying yes to the things that excite you – and no to what doesn't feel right.
No one has the 'perfect' roadmap to life because the majority of us are trying to figure out our journey. And it's your responsibility to take control of yours.
Be more courageous, embrace uncertainty, and trust yourself to keep going when things get rough. Otherwise, you'll spend the rest of your life aiming too low, doing too little, wondering 'what if' – stuck and unable to fulfill your potential.
Every day, do what you need to do to be even one step closer to the person you wish to become. Make your story one you are proud of.
Make your life a masterpiece.
Believe in yourself. Be persistent. And start by doing what you keep avoiding.
Send that email. Make that phone call. Apply for that job. Buy that plane ticket. Upload your video.
Do what you need to do now, so you can get where you need to go.
But don't fall into complacency – especially if you're in a position you don't want to be in.
Each challenge you face should be seen as a new lesson – an opportunity to reflect, redirect yourself, and appreciate the good things when they finally do happen to you.
Instead of complaining, take action and consider your struggles part of a better story. The story you are writing.
Remember – you are the artist of your own life, so take control and turn it into something you are proud of.
Do what you can today – and hopefully, luck will find you.