in: Holistic Business Techniques
by: Sabina Hitchen
The country went Cinderella-crazy in March 2015 when Disney released the classic with an all-star cast, but the fairy tale can teach us all so much more than to wait for Prince Charming. It’s packed with business improvement lessons that anyone hoping to find happiness and success at work can adopt.
FIND YOUR OWN FAIRY GODMOTHER
This could be a mentor or even a supportive community of like-minded individuals. These people are essential components to your success and happiness – they’re also something most successful people have in place in their lives. Unlike Cinderella, however, they won’t always show up in a cloud of smoke in your home.
SHOW UP TO THE "BALLS" IN YOUR LIFE - EVEN IF YOU FEEL NERVOUS OR OUT OF PLACE
It’s no secret that Cinderella was nervous and even a little out of place when she went to her ball, but she went anyways. In a glorified pumpkin. And without a partner. A big part of success and happiness in life is based on simply showing up, even when we’re nervous and treading into our “discomfort zone”. Whether it’s to a party where you may not know a lot of people, a date, a networking event, an interview for a job you really want – the only way you can guarantee you have a chance is by showing up. And as Cinderella showed us, you never know what you may end up getting out of it – a new job, a new mentor – heck even a prince or princess!
DO A PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP AUDIT & RID YOURSELF OF "EVIL STEPSISTERS & STEPMOTHERS"
The people who you surround yourself with on a regular basis powerfully shape who you are, how you feel and your own progress in life and work. The people you surround yourself with you often start to become. If they’re negative or pessimistic those feelings permeate your life as well. Jim Rohn once said “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”. This is powerful stuff! But the solution is simple: do a relationship audit and ask yourself:
- Who do I spend my time with?
- Do they have the same goals as I do?
- Do they make me feel good?
- Are they contributing to my personal or professional success?
The answers to these simple questions will help you decide who you spend your time with.
FIND YOUR OWN "GLASS SLIPPERS"
Dress Like you Mean It, Even if it’s just for you. How many of us will make an effort to dress up when going to a dinner party or job event, but when keeping company with ourselves we show up in sweats or something that doesn’t make us feel awesome or joyful? How many of us head to a shop or to grab coffee hoping we don’t run into anyone we know? It’s time to dress for your big dream. Looking good is feeling good. Even if it’s looking good for yourself in your home office! This will make you feel better and more confident in yourself which will then be reflected in the way you spend your day, the way you work and the way you communicate. It may take effort, but it will be worth it.
LISTEN TO THE DREAMS YOUR HEART MAKES
There’s a reason these songs resonate deep within us, and there’s a reason they keep us up at night or drive you to keep working when you’re tired…Because there is great power in trusting your gut and the dreams that come from the deepest source within you. These dreams born from a place of passion and purpose should never be ignored. They shouldn't’t be given up on. No, this doesn’t mean quit your job to find right now to pursue it, but it does mean you should listen to the passion and purpose that is calling to you and begin making baby steps to answer its call. Dedicate a few hours a week to it, join a course or class that focuses on it, outline a plan to make it more of your life!
MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAVE FAITH IN YOUR DREAMS AND SOMEDAY...
This isn’t just a lyric from the song in the fairy tale. The power of having faith and perseverance where your dreams or goals are concerned is proven to be one of the most powerful keys to success. It’s the common thread in the stories of successful people from all walks of life and situations – despite mistakes, setbacks and naysayers they continued to believe, and that’s what sets them apart. That’s what helped them reach the finish line. Disney knew this too and the Cinderella movie reminds us all that it still rings true today, “If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.”
