Every morning we wake up, we get on with our day, we do what we have to do... but do you feel that there should be much more to it?

Do you feel trapped in a negative, toxic work environment? Do you feel like you are being paid to just exist?

Imagine if you had the passion and drive to bring about real change!

Maybe you’ve already shared your desire to change your career or build a business with someone, only to have them to knock down your confidence in a few words.

In the past, I was also guilty of letting my life be dictated by the fear of failing. It wasn’t a nice place to be.

At 21 years old, when I went for my first job as a recruiter I had no experience other than part-time work in hospitality, but I knew I wanted that ‘dream job’. I didn’t hear anything for 3 weeks after the interview and I was devastated. A little while later, when I saw the owner of the agency walk into my local chicken shop, I ran so fast and tried to pretend I wasn’t out of breath in order to casually bump into him. We chatted, had a laugh, and the next morning I got a job offer.

I didn’t let my pride, embarrassment or the previous disappointment deter me. I grabbed that random opportunity and I went for it, such was my drive to get what I really wanted. I stayed with that company for 5 years.  

Which leads me to when I applied for a job in HR, burning with such enthusiasm for change. Again, I was absolutely shattered by the response: “I love your passion and drive to change the world, Nicole, but I’m sorry HR just isn’t ready for you yet.”

After I had my baby, I was even told by a recruiter that I wouldn’t find a part-time job in HR and I should think of doing something else instead until my kids are at school and I can work full time – that was a real turning point for me.

I share these stories because it is a big part of who I am and my strong belief that skills can be trained but behaviours and values are built within.

I understand how other people’s comments can lead us into a negative mindset, to lose focus on our dreams, and to settle for a comfortable path because of fear of failure.

Today, I’m dedicated to encouraging people – whether they be clients, candidates or coaches – to do what they really want to do. I love listening to their stories and looking for opportunities where I can help bring on change in their life, rather than concentrating on their shortfalls. It’s a much nicer place to be.

Here are my five top tips to keep focus on your dreams.

Focus on positive triggers

Surround yourself with self-empowering quotes and read about others’ success stories.  Prove them wrong and turn negativity into your greatest advantage.  When someone says no, that it just can’t be done, use that feedback to become even better. Use that fire so that you want it more. Spend time with people who pull you forward and who are like the person you want to become.

Don’t be disillusioned by a bad interview

You can learn as much from the bad interviews as you can from the good ones – knowledge is power.  Be less reactive and more proactive

When you really, truly enjoy what you do, nothing can stop you from succeeding. Nothing and no one has the power to stop passion – its power lies in its ability to move you straight over those speed bumps. With a creative solution, nothing can get in your way.

Let go of the fear of failure

Avoiding the possibility of failure also means avoiding the opportunity to learn anything from having failed.

And of course, if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Remember what they say FAIL really means:

First

Attempt

In

Learning.

Don’t ever give up!

Successful people who were told negative things:

Fred Astaire

In his first screen test, the testing director of MGM noted that Astaire, "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little."  
Became a successful actor, singer and dancer and kept that note in his Beverly Hills home to remind him of where he came from.  

Winston Churchill

Failed the sixth grade; faced many years of political failures and was defeated in every election for public office until age 62.
Became the Prime Minister at 62.

Oprah Winfrey

Endured a rough and abusive childhood as well as numerous career setbacks including being fired from her job as a television reporter because she was "unfit for TV".  
One of the most iconic faces on TV as well as one of the richest and most successful women in the world.