I'm Walking on Sunshine and Don't It Feel Good?

Today, I was thinking of how nice it was to finally have a day with some sunshine! I mean, after all the gray and cloudy skies we've been experiencing, the much-needed dose of vitamin D was like a breath of fresh air for me. Isn't it funny that people seem to be happier when it's sunny? It definitely makes it easier to get out of bed in the morning when the sun is shining through your windows. It's like the whole world has a renewed sense of energy.

It really got me thinking about people and their careers. At the beginning of a new career, you're usually motivated and energetic, trying to fit in and achieve your absolute best to prove yourself. After a while, though, most of us sink into a routine and our jobs can become, well, like gray, cloudy days. If you aren't enjoying your career, it can be hard to get out of bed in the morning and you'll find yourself looking at the clock every 5 minutes of the day. Now who really enjoys living that way?

Unlike the weather, however, we can all do something about the gray, cloudy days that we sometimes create for ourselves. After graduating from DePaul, I was tossed into the real world, at a loss for what I really wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted more than a 9 to 5 "job" and didn't want to settle for just going in with the rest of the workforce, doing work as the "little guy", not being noticed for my achievements and potential, and getting a predetermined paycheck. I wanted more...I wanted something that would make me jump out of bed everyday, throw my arms up in the air, and proclaim, "I can't wait to do my work today!!" Ok, so that may be a little dramatic, but I think you get my point.

Many people think that it just isn't possible to have a career that you love. While I'm not entirely sure yet, I do know that without trying, you will never actually know. That's kind of why I decided to go into real estate...I love selling, I love people, and I love running my own business. In the current book that I am reading, The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, the author, Gary Keller, says, "you can either treat real estate as a job or as your own business." I believe that having the right outlook is very important and your passion and energy must be in the right place. In another part of the book, he talks about the amount of things you get accomplished the day before leaving for vacation. The day before someone leaves for vacation, they work hard to be sure everything is taken care of at the office and they don't sit aimlessly and surf the internet, they have time to take the dog to the kennel, pick up the drycleaning, etc. His main point in this observation is that people have the ability to get a lot done in one day if they really apply themselves. The day before a vacation getaway is a sunny day, despite the weather outside, because you know you'll be able to get away tomorrow and relax for a while, not having to worry about your everyday stresses. He says, "Can you imagine if everyday was the day before a vacation?"

I think it's true that everyone has the potential to be more productive if we really try, but doing something you love makes it 100% easier. I love web design, for example, and can get carried away sometimes for hours making changes to my websites. The point is, if you really enjoy doing something, it won't feel like work.

I'm really excited in the new direction that my life is taking me...being a real estate agent. I believe that I can tend to people's needs and help them achieve their goals, all while enjoying myself and my own achievements. I'm seeing past the gray and cloudy skies outside and getting my sunglasses out for my sunny days ahead!

If you are experiencing gray and cloudy days with your job, maybe you should grab your sunscreen and consider joining me out in the sunshine?

- Ashley