Smile!
#JasonHowellCompany. Way #3 of becoming super powerful in your profession as excerpted from my audiobook AMERICA: Still the Land of Opportunity..\” is taking stock of your mental disposition by identifying what you enjoy:
- Carry Yourself With Confidence
- Dress Like a Super Power
- Identify What You Enjoy
- Lead Your “Category”
Your mental disposition, determined by your outlook on life in general, will swiftly determine how others respond to you. How you carry yourself mentally will either be a help or a hindrance to your progress. Your customers, including your boss, your co-workers, or external customers will read you and will react to what they read immediately upon seeing you that day.
The subject of posture came up earlier. I mentioned how people who were taller often reduced their size by crouching below to the level of those with average height. I compared that with the story of the eagle who group up with chickens and at first did not know that he could fly. What these anecdotes highlight is an unfortunate habit we sometimes have to bring ourselves down to the mean; to play to the level of the crowd. When that occurs, you not only distract from the greatness that you are, you detract from the perception your crowd, could have, of you: the perception that you are, amazing.
There is something that you do, or can do better, than anyone else; it is the thing that makes you an “expert.” What is that thing? It is what you discover through self awareness when you truly recognize a passion and that sense of patriotism about your life. This is the thing that you want to be identified for.
Perhaps you are considered an expert because of your unique point of view, or perhaps because of your propensity for innovation or solving problems. You cultivate this expertise by spending time on it and you are known for your expertise by sharing it with others. Spending time on your expertise will not be too difficult because it will likely be something, you enjoy.
What do you enjoy? Through my years in the accounting profession, I found that I enjoyed talking with people, building relationships and even doing a little professional development (though I admit to not knowing that term years ago). My first job out of school was not my first professional position, but becoming a consultant for accounting software was still a stretch for my level of experience. It was my job to train new clients of the software we sold. Most of my day was spent preparing my lectures including the use of an overhead projector that showed screenshots and real-time use of the software, by projecting the image of my computer’s screen. I answered the questions of Accounting Clerks and Controllers though I had yet to hold any of those positions myself. I bit off slightly more than I could chew but I somehow made it through 8 hour sessions as if I had been training my entire life. I liked it.
This propensity for training foreshadowed my future career and should have been an early indicator that my talents would eventually steer me away from the arithmetic of accounting.
Unfortunately that consulting company fell on hard times and still a recent grad, I relied on a recruiter to find a position more attuned to my accounting major. In future accounting jobs, I still enjoyed it when a colleague would walk into my office to discuss a career related issue. Unfortunately this often lead to me working late nights in the office so I could complete my accounting work; still, I always knew the consequences of my little, career coaching sessions and was willing to sacrifice seeing the light of day for them. I did not quite know that professional development would be the hallmark of my career but eventually I was hired by the recruiting firm that placed me in accounting jobs to do the same for others. It took me many years to succumb to what most could see as an obvious interest.
Ask around. Typically it is pretty tough to stifle your talents and your interests, and whether you already work in the profession you desire, you may already be exhibiting the skills and talents that would make you a great Accountant, Project Manager, Firefighter or even Politician!
