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“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

So tell me, what’s holding you back?

In a field where social media has opened up instant doors to an international knowledge base, I think something holding many of us back is the questioning. We question whether a.) We are smart enough b.) experienced enough c.) or afraid to go against the norm.

Insight can come from all levels of experience – and no one should ever feel shunned because they ask a question or make a suggestion. Listening is the first step. What we should be doing is evolving a natural curiosity and pushing ourselves past the limit. Easier said than done, right?

Don’t View Life as Strategy

Business Model. Strategy. Target Demographic. (Insert Marketing Principle Here.) We live our professional lives by terms and objectives. Don’t let it influence your personal life or your learning style. Being creative is being able to break out from stipulations and outside forces. Define yourself, then seek out other thought. Find your passions. If you try to learn with an open slate, you are exposed to other ideas and trains of thought.

Be an Explorer

Step 1: Be open to new ideas and thought leadership. It could come from those with 10 more years of experience or from a peer. Study charts, read books and devour statistics. The foundation base for knowledge will help you delve into deeper subjects . Sometimes the best ideas come from crappy beginnings.

Step 2: Be willing to admit when you don’t know something. It’s ok to ask questions and press for more information. Form your own conclusions and build upon it. Build relationships with those who will both motivate and challenge you. Opposites attract, especially in mentor/friend type relationships.

Know that You Can Have Magic

It’s easy to feel beaten down. We’ve all been there. Surround yourself only with those that make a difference in your life. Time is an investment, and it’s not worth it to waste on those who could care less. The mistake we often make as public relations professionals is to think that everyone should be listening to us. Choose your audience carefully - there are some that will misconstrue the person you are and tell everyone what they believe. Think of it as people viral marketing – or that old game of telephone.

Be a Genius in Your Own Right

There are so many different levels of genius, it’s incredible. The best teams that work together are the ones that challenge but think cohesively.  We all think differently, and while I might see life in color and a puzzle to discover, you might see black/white and varying principles. It’s ok to think differently. It’s ok to put yourself out there. It’s ok to challenge thought leadership – and if you’re wrong, learn from it. Why do you keep hitting yourself over and over in the head with a hammer when innovation is happening all around you?

“Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are and what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”

Do we let limitations define us? When is it not ok to compromise?

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