I just got off the phone with Peter, who I admire and like immensely.
Peter asked for a bit of perspective in contacting his former employer or a friend of ours regarding visas to work in the US. I went off on a bit of a tangent, which undoubtedly overwhelmed him a bit, but which I'd like to summarize here.
1. You will never be short of opportunities.
In just a few moments, Pete identified that he could be a professional teacher in England. He could join someone in sailing around the world. He could get a visa and join the Camp Industry in working in the US. Or he could join a research party in Antarctica.
He will never be short of really cool opportunities to do really cool things. This will never end for him or for you.
2. The opportunities will never cease.
For someone of his or your talent, you will always have really cool opportunities.
3. There is no wrong answer.
Whatever you choose to do, there is no "right" or "wrong" answer. There is but a path, and you will learn from every experience that will cause you to grow and become the person you want to be.
4. Learn from every experience and every person.
Talk to everyone you meet. Meet as many people as possible. Listen to their story; develop relationships with everyone. You never know who will present an opportunity that will allow you to achieve your dreams.
5. Know your dream.
That being said, know where you want to go. Know which opportunities to take to help you get where you want to go. Some opportunities will help you further your dream/goal. Some will simply be amazing experiences on the way. Keep moving forward.
6. Believe in yourself.
You already have the skills you need to get you to your dream/goal. If you capitalize on your emotional intelligence, your life-long-learning attitude, and current skill-set, people will want to help you get to your dreams.
7. The people you keep in your life will understand your value.
The company you keep will understand that in order to get the best out of you, they will continue to invest in you. They understand that you are on a mission. They know they only have you for a limited amount of time because you will move past them to achieve great things that they will want to be part of.
You are valuable and have things to teach. You are not finished on your path. You are an amazing person who has amazing things yet to experience and yet to teach. Never sell yourself short, and never close doors on yourself. If you can do amazing things you owe it to the world to do so. No pressure! Keep pushing yourself to achieve what you want, and I promise you, someone will acknowledge this and join you on the ride.
Peter asked for a bit of perspective in contacting his former employer or a friend of ours regarding visas to work in the US. I went off on a bit of a tangent, which undoubtedly overwhelmed him a bit, but which I'd like to summarize here.
1. You will never be short of opportunities.
In just a few moments, Pete identified that he could be a professional teacher in England. He could join someone in sailing around the world. He could get a visa and join the Camp Industry in working in the US. Or he could join a research party in Antarctica.
He will never be short of really cool opportunities to do really cool things. This will never end for him or for you.
2. The opportunities will never cease.
For someone of his or your talent, you will always have really cool opportunities.
3. There is no wrong answer.
Whatever you choose to do, there is no "right" or "wrong" answer. There is but a path, and you will learn from every experience that will cause you to grow and become the person you want to be.
4. Learn from every experience and every person.
Talk to everyone you meet. Meet as many people as possible. Listen to their story; develop relationships with everyone. You never know who will present an opportunity that will allow you to achieve your dreams.
5. Know your dream.
That being said, know where you want to go. Know which opportunities to take to help you get where you want to go. Some opportunities will help you further your dream/goal. Some will simply be amazing experiences on the way. Keep moving forward.
6. Believe in yourself.
You already have the skills you need to get you to your dream/goal. If you capitalize on your emotional intelligence, your life-long-learning attitude, and current skill-set, people will want to help you get to your dreams.
7. The people you keep in your life will understand your value.
The company you keep will understand that in order to get the best out of you, they will continue to invest in you. They understand that you are on a mission. They know they only have you for a limited amount of time because you will move past them to achieve great things that they will want to be part of.
You are valuable and have things to teach. You are not finished on your path. You are an amazing person who has amazing things yet to experience and yet to teach. Never sell yourself short, and never close doors on yourself. If you can do amazing things you owe it to the world to do so. No pressure! Keep pushing yourself to achieve what you want, and I promise you, someone will acknowledge this and join you on the ride.