A common mistake made by people eager for success is failing to be consistent. Especially when facing a set back, or, when events don't occur exactly as planned.
If you are motivated and want big things to happen you usually don't want to wait a decade to see results; more importantly, you don't ever want to "settle". However, consistency is not settling. For example, if you have a good job, but you're not living your dream it's acceptable to stay in the job. Staying in the job until your ready and properly resourced to make a move is not settling. Settling is giving up on your dream because you're comfortable.
Your dream may require patience and opportunity. Time is all we have when it comes to our grandest goals. It's believed Caesar wept at Alexander's grave, "Do you think I have not just cause to weep, when I consider that Alexander at my age had conquered so many nations, and I have all this time done nothing that is memorable?" Don't allow someone's perceived success alter your timeline. Your situation is unique to you. Caesar would eventually become infamous and revered.
A friend of mind was in his words "stuck" in the rank of Second Class. He was one of the sharpest individuals in our division. Nevertheless, it took him an extremely long time, well beyond what was considered average, to advance to First Class. He could have settled, at that time you could retire in the US Navy as a Second Class. However, he never stopped performing. He remained consistent in displaying the highest level of performance. And when he finally advanced to First Class, he would later advance to Chief during his first opportunity, which is abnormal. Next he reached his dream, and was selected to the coveted rank of Chief Warrant Officer, a milestone many strive for but never achieve.
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| Source: LDO FY16 Brief; http://www.slideshare.net/navymentor/ldo-cwo-application-brief-fy16 |
Be proud and proactive about being consistent, because it's through consistency that we prepare for the opportunity to achieve our dreams.
*Inspired by before5am and a conversation with a Sailor displeased with his current status in the US Navy.
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