WANNA BE ON TOP?

Today I had the opportunity to speak to students participating in the leaderSTATE program at Mississippi State University. After changing my talk at least 3 times, I settled on the topic of "Self-Improvement/Professional Development". I am in no way an expert, but I have been fortunate to participate in several professional development opportunities. In addition, I have been blessed to have a people in my life who make it their business to hold me accountable and gladly contribute to my personal and professional success.

"Make the most of yourself...for that is all there is of you."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many of us (self included) want to be successful, but do not want to put in the work....so...how bad do you want it? I guess that all depends on your definition of "success". Again, I do not have all the answers, but I want to give you three points that I truly believe will contribute to your personal and professional development. I will not give you an exhausted list, as I believe in the power of the small things. So, here are three things that you can do TODAY:

1. Read a book: Find a good book and read 10 pages each day. Yes, reading is fundamental. The more you read, the more wisdom you gain. It's just that simple folks! Grab a book and get to it. Since I love love love reading, I'll provide you with a few of my favorites.
   a. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
   b. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
   c. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

2. Update your resume: Your resume is basically your brand. I don't care if you are the best person for the job, if you have a crappy resume, you will never get that face to face interview. Keep it current! Joined a professional organization?...update your resume. Change careers?...update your resume. Trust me, it is easier to update it as life happens versus trying to cram everything in at one time---you are bound to forget something!

3. Get a mentor: I can not stress the importance of having a mentor. A mentor should be your champion! He or she does not have to look like you, nor do you all have to share experiences. However, your mentor needs to be someone that you can trust, someone who will hold you accountable and someone who is invested in your success. In simple terms, "Someone who has been there--done that--and willing to guide you as you go through."

Again, there are several factors that contribute to an individual's success. My hope is that you read something that will assist you on your quest to a better you! If I can be of assistance, please let me know. Remember, you are the ONLY person responsible for your success.

For more information on leaderSTATE, please visit http://leaderstate.msstate.edu/.

xo,
NaToya Rae