As 2013 gets off to a rousing start, I wonder what you are planning to accomplish this year? Notice I said planning, not wishing, hoping or praying to the Good Lord that divine intervention comes down and strikes you with the Lucky Stick. For me, it means continuing to work on big projects at ESSENCE while building the Tanisha’s Tips brand. What I’ve found in my own quest for continued success is to be careful not to say yes too casually. Why? Because I then find myself overwhelmed by the mere thought of the to-do lists. There is nothing wrong with wanting more for your career. Go hard, drive fast and get it done. But don’t drive so hard that you flame out in a fit of anger or worse, you get sick (that flu bug is a mother, shut your mouth). As you ladies march on toward world domination (yes, I’ve actually heard people use this term endearingly), keep these thoughts in mind:
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Here’s a new mantra for 2013: Under-promise and over-deliver. This sounded like sheer genius coming out of the mouth of a co-worker recently. I thought, I’ll try that! And, you should too.
Have a vision. Most people are short-term minded. They say I want to be a writer, actor, stylist, cop, blogger, lawyer, nurse, etc., without fully recognizing what that looks like. What do you see on this road to greatness? How will you overcome the haters, the obstacles, the negativity. There have been plenty of times I have been ignored, laughed at or just plain insulted for expressing my dreams. But it’s never stopped me because I am not defined by other’s short-sightedness, only by the hopes and dreams I’ve yet to unlock.
Stay the course. It’s so easy to fall off track. Instead of thinking about all of the checklists you have to rip through over the remaining days of the year, plan that list out for a week and rip through it one day at a time. When your fall or even fail, get your behind back up. Take a walk, have a good cry, but continue to tell yourself, “I can do this.” That is what I say to myself before I get on stage to host an event, give a speech or make a presentation. Works like a charm.
What are your dreams for 2013? Get some advice on how to make them come true at tanishastips@essence.com.
Tanisha A. Sykes is the Senior Editor for Personal Finance & Careers at ESSENCE. Follow her on Twitter @tanishastips.