Steve Harvey has worn many hats in his career, but he is fairly popular as the host of Family Feud. During one taping, Steve delivered some golden advice for his studio audience… You’ve gotta jump.
You can find the full video on YouTube, but here is my take-away from his short speech.
Own Your Skills
Steve had a friend who would never stay out late because he had to wake up early to cut grass. He now owns a landscaping company that’s worth $4 million dollars. Another one of Steve’s friends makes a good living detailing cars.
Everyone has a gift, and it’s almost always possible to turn that gift into a career. Some people are great at communication, others are better with math, and some prefer to work with their hands. You have to acknowledge your skills and be prepared to take opportunities as they arise.
As Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
A degree can be important for furthering your career, but according to a Washington Post article, only 27% of college graduates have a job in their major. That education is often just a stepping stone to help you toward your ultimate career goal.
The key to success is finding what you’re good at and cultivating a career around those skills. When you go to a job every day that you’re not passionate about, you’re just existing and letting life happen around you.
Prepare for Failure
Steve is right when he says that your parachute won’t open right after you jump. Finding the road to success isn’t easy. You’ll have to trust that with hard work and perseverance, everything will come together like it’s supposed to.
You can play it safe and stay on solid ground for the rest of your career, but you’ll never know what’s in store for you when your parachute opens. You have to take a chance on yourself.
Jump to the Beat of Your Own Drum
Taking a “jump” doesn’t always mean changing your career entirely. Maybe it’s asking for a promotion or taking on a new role in your company that better fits your skill set.
At Red Rock Insurance Group, I do my best to ensure the happiness of each individual employee. I know that their individual skills and personality are what set our company apart from the rest, and I am always grateful that we continue to “jump” together as our company grows and changes.