August 3, 2017
As a native Pittsburgher, I’m a big Steeler fan and many of my Sundays during the football season are spent watching the games with my husband. The thing that always amazes me is how athletes are constantly proving themselves. The ones that are excellent at their craft command large salaries and often break records. Also, outstanding athletes and can negotiate on their own terms—think Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger and as much as I hate to admit it, New England Patriots Tom Brady (ugh!). However, once an athlete becomes complacent, they are often traded, cut from the team or retired. As you build your personal brand, it’s important to embrace the notion that you are the CEO of your own company and you need to also stay on top of your professional game. It’s that “free agent” attitude that keeps you in the competitive mindset and positions you for career success. As the CEO of your own company, you need to invest in your brand by updating your skills, so you are prepared to move on to the next opportunity whenever it appears. The only real security you have are your skill sets, your work ethic, your imagination, and your interpersonal skills. Along your career journey, you should always be thinking about how you can add value and bring innovation to your work. This self-initiative will help ensure that during hard times, you are not the one traded for a new player or retired (laid off). More importantly, you should always know your worth and look for those career moves that will position you for long-term success. Remember, you are as good as your last touchdown!
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Michael Jordan
Often, when I tell someone to “Keep Dreaming,” it comes from a sarcastic place and means “this will never happen.” However, as I reflect on the crazy, challenging year we all experienced in 2020, I think it’s time to get back to our dreams literally.
At the beginning of 2020, I had big dreams. I had planned a February vacation trip to Thailand, a women’s conference in March, Florida in April, Aruba in June, and Hilton Head with cousins in October. All plans were canceled indefinitely. Getting refunds/credits from travel agencies, airlines and hotels became a significant challenge and took lots of energy.
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Hi! I'm LaNella Hooper-Williams. Through my blog, my mission is to give you tips and practical tools that will help you build a powerful brand and accomplish your personal and professional dreams. You’ll learn strategies that help you manage your personal brand, get noticed and rewarded for your unique talents, and gain greater career focus.
Dear LaNella,
Loved your work in this blog! Congrats!
Got to remember this to move forward:-)
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Michael Jordan
Thank you!
Jenn