A
ship is always safe at the shore, but that is not what it was built for. That pushing
one away from the shore and into uncharted waters will make all the difference
in his life. Analyzing risks, suggesting methods and making decisions are the
main processes dealing with tasks; you may ask instructors for advice, find
materials in library, and collect data on the Internet, ultimately what
decision to make is up to yourself. Thus, independence regarding on this issue
is obvious a key role.
Increasing
evidences from academia show that grit and its parallel traits of guts,
resilience, and tenacity are significant for achieving goals. No one is born
with grit, but each of us can obtain it over time. Especially in today’s
turbulent environment with rapid economy growth and technology changes,
competition become fiercer than ever before. Multi-talented employees are preferred,
but positions are limitless; the face of knowledge and information update at each
second, relying old style method may not work. The career
journey of Robin Koval, CEO and president of Legacy, has been shaped by three
key risks taken at various points, and all these decisions made by her display
excellent benefits to the whole life. They allowed her to become her own first
responder – identifying worst-case scenarios ahead of time, and always having a
plan B.
When
graduated with a degree in design, she found it is tough to get a relevant job
to save life. Then she chose to become an administrative assistant dealing with
various chores in an advertisement business, from which she discovered true
passions: strategy, client management, and business development.
Then,
she made her second risky decision, quit her job – a credible position, and
became an entrepreneur of an ad agency. She said that “I trusted my gut, gave
up my hard-won and secure position at a well-known cooperation, and went for
it. This was totally not in my background or DNA.” Eventually this start-up
becomes into a billion dollar billing agency.
Finally,
she resigned the position of CEO and decided to become a member of an
anti-tobacco organization focusing saving lives. So once again she pushed off
shore, made a significant decision by herself, and has never looked back.
Although
it would be easier to plug our decisions into parents’ or teachers’ list and
just do it according to priority, there is no substitute for summoning your gut
by taking risk and making decision yourself. That no instructor who holds your
hand toward right direction can replace your intelligence on momentous life or career
decisions. In an evolving world, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail are
standing on the shore and taking no risks at all.
Quote from the article"here is why the CEO does not fear failure" by Robin Koval.
