Have you hit a wall lately?  I hope you have -- figuratively of course. 

 

 When you are working passionately, making progress, and all the sudden you hit a wall, congratulate yourself!  The wall may look like something your boss created, but the wall is your wall.  Yes, your name is on it.  The wall doesn't belong to anyone else but you. 

Your job is to understand the wall, acknowledge the wall, and push on it.  Prove yourself wrong! 

 

My favorite comment to this idea is the response that "My boss won't let me."  Why not?  Have you asked?  Have you tried?  Have you demonstrated it will work?  Getting a "no" from your boss is just an invitation to improve your idea and try again.  

 

If you are not regularly hitting the wall and pushing forward you are not trying hard enough.  Hitting the wall is a huge opportunity for personal and professional growth that may just land you your dream career.  

As the CEO and owner of Xcution, Inc., my schedule is often dictated by uncontrollable demands.  I will spare you stories of the all nighters and instead focus on two things I have learned.  

 

One, your network is critical!  My family, friends, and mentors have cheered me when I have achieved goals and given me their ear when I haven't.  Without my personal network I would not have kept going.  My personal network gave me the passion to build my professional network which is my second point. 

 

Point number Two -- my professional network consists of many colleagues, professionals, leaders, and organizations I have met along the way.  My professional network is a valuable place to connect with like-minded individuals.  What do you and I have in common?  I invite you to come find me and tell me on LinkedIn.   

 

If I can pass on one nugget of wisdom to you today, please invest in your personal and professional networks, realize the difference between the two, and respect the contribution each offers.  You can replace a process with a more efficient technique, but you cannot replace a connection that inspires action. 

Sincerely,  

 

Jane Henry 

CEO & Co-Founder of Xcution, Inc.