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How have you been able to accomplish what you have thus far?
I'm getting certifications for both construction and auto mechanics and I want to open my business for either or.
#business #construction #automotive
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21 answers
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Christine’s Answer
You should absolutely set goals and find great mentors and engage, but I went to college wanting to pursue journalism, then law and shifted to consulting and landed in marketing/market research and financial services industry. Every change was affected by a life circumstance: the need to support my parents financially when they experienced hardship, ability to care for them when they had health issues and getting engaged and making choices about where to live jointly to maximize both your career and your partner and then having a child and pursuing best areas for schools against the industries offered there and a company with work/life balance to support a young family. The thing about career choices is that you plan and you will find that in your 20s, 30s and 40s, those circumstances change and you get to really know what you're good at and who you are and what you value.
Find and keep close mentors who have time to give you advice, find topics and books you're drawn to and keep an open mind. I found that a lot of my foundational skills that drew me to my passion career (journalism)) in middle school, high school and college were inherent in me and I brought those strengths or attributes to new jobs (diligence, detail orientedness/fact finding, curiousity, fighting for underdogs, connecting the dots and seeing a big picture and telling a compelling story to meet an objective.
So you will find that your strengths are threaded through your life choices, whatever job you choose as you will also be called to those jobs. As you continue your journey and enjoy that and leverage that. But sometimes you need to make choices that help pay the bills and support a family and there's no love lost for passion projects there by doing that, I find that's the myth of blankly saying "do what you love" because if it's not enough to sustain a quality life, you will no longer love it.
Ultimately, having your own shop carries with it its own risks. Work for others and really observe and learn the in's and out's there before striking out on your own. Certifications are good, but DOING it is the only place where you learn. Good luck!
Find and keep close mentors who have time to give you advice, find topics and books you're drawn to and keep an open mind. I found that a lot of my foundational skills that drew me to my passion career (journalism)) in middle school, high school and college were inherent in me and I brought those strengths or attributes to new jobs (diligence, detail orientedness/fact finding, curiousity, fighting for underdogs, connecting the dots and seeing a big picture and telling a compelling story to meet an objective.
So you will find that your strengths are threaded through your life choices, whatever job you choose as you will also be called to those jobs. As you continue your journey and enjoy that and leverage that. But sometimes you need to make choices that help pay the bills and support a family and there's no love lost for passion projects there by doing that, I find that's the myth of blankly saying "do what you love" because if it's not enough to sustain a quality life, you will no longer love it.
Ultimately, having your own shop carries with it its own risks. Work for others and really observe and learn the in's and out's there before striking out on your own. Certifications are good, but DOING it is the only place where you learn. Good luck!
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Katherine’s Answer
To answer your question, I would start by doing research and setting expectations for yourself in what you want to accomplish. To set expectations, it is important to identify your strengths and opportunities to understand what you are great at and what processes work well for you. Once you determine your strengths, it allows for an easier way to determine what you want to accomplish.
When determining what you want to accomplish, what helps me most is to have a long term vision and then set small goals to achieve that vision. Having small goals helps to keep track of your accomplishments to meet your vision. To be successful, it is important to have patience, dedication, passion and resilience. It has been helpful to be patient to strive and be the best at what you do before trying to do something else or continuing to do more. It is important to be passionate not just in the job, but also to be passionate in yourself. Be dedicated in all that you do and do not be afraid to fail. Some of the best learning's come from failures. It's important to takes risks as well as being resilient while have the mindset to adapt to change. Sometimes each "no" can get you closer to a "yes", take those "no's" as learning experiences and re-adapt your goals or approach. It is important to use and develop critical thinking skills to be innovative and ahead of the curve.
While you are the number one driver to be successful, it is important to utilize your team and put customers first to truly be successful. Networking is a crucial element of success and make sure to surround yourself with those that have the same goals as you. It is much easier to fail alone than it is to succeed as a team.
When determining what you want to accomplish, what helps me most is to have a long term vision and then set small goals to achieve that vision. Having small goals helps to keep track of your accomplishments to meet your vision. To be successful, it is important to have patience, dedication, passion and resilience. It has been helpful to be patient to strive and be the best at what you do before trying to do something else or continuing to do more. It is important to be passionate not just in the job, but also to be passionate in yourself. Be dedicated in all that you do and do not be afraid to fail. Some of the best learning's come from failures. It's important to takes risks as well as being resilient while have the mindset to adapt to change. Sometimes each "no" can get you closer to a "yes", take those "no's" as learning experiences and re-adapt your goals or approach. It is important to use and develop critical thinking skills to be innovative and ahead of the curve.
While you are the number one driver to be successful, it is important to utilize your team and put customers first to truly be successful. Networking is a crucial element of success and make sure to surround yourself with those that have the same goals as you. It is much easier to fail alone than it is to succeed as a team.
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Aamir’s Answer
Hi Domenica! Very good question. I work as an accountant but didn't know what I wanted to do until I graduated from college. My entire life, I was purusing medical school. At a certain point in college, I realized I did not have a passion for it anymore. I looked for something that always intrigued me my entire life, which was business. Studying business opened up many opportunities for me and I chose the accounting path, which I am very happy with.
My point being, try to gain experience working in the field you would like to work in one day. If you don't see yourself doing that thing for the rest of your life, then you have time still to change paths and find your passion. Never give up, not ever, and keep pushing forward till you find that passion!
My point being, try to gain experience working in the field you would like to work in one day. If you don't see yourself doing that thing for the rest of your life, then you have time still to change paths and find your passion. Never give up, not ever, and keep pushing forward till you find that passion!
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Blake’s Answer
Hey Domenica,
I would say that keeping an open mind has got me where I am today. You never know what possibilities are out there if you aren't willing to try.
Thanks,
Blake
I would say that keeping an open mind has got me where I am today. You never know what possibilities are out there if you aren't willing to try.
Thanks,
Blake
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Genia’s Answer
Setting yourself up for success is key. You should consider a few things as you start your career. These are a few things I did at the start of my career and have learned throughout the years.
- Use criticism constructively
-Be flexible embrace change
-Try to create a Business Plan
-Think about creating a business plan
-Have good time management
-Advanced education is helpful ie. MBA, BA etc.
- Use criticism constructively
-Be flexible embrace change
-Try to create a Business Plan
-Think about creating a business plan
-Have good time management
-Advanced education is helpful ie. MBA, BA etc.
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John’s Answer
Joining the military was the best decision I made as it provided me with the ability to grow as a person while offering many avenues for educational development. It really falls on having a great support structure, a specific goal(s), and a means of satisfying that vision.
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Cindy’s Answer
One thing I would add to the great responses you've received so far, is to always be open and willing to do things differently than how you've done them in the past. A common (and dreaded) phrase I've heard throughout my career has been "this is the way its always been done". You're not always going to be able to come up with a new or more innovating way of doing something but when you can, the wins are endless for you and for your team. Always challenge yourself to see things from different perspectives.
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Marie’s Answer
Learning from others ' experience is key. I helped a friend opening his own business and wherever we were going, we were trying to meet people in the same field, willing to share their experience and we learnt so much this way, much more than with a formal training .
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Tomiwa’s Answer
I have found over the years that goal setting is very key to all of my accomplishments. Whether that is a daily goal, weekly goal, or monthly goal. When I set these goals for myself it motivates me to work harder than I would have if I was just aimlessly chasing something.
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Anne’s Answer
Hi Domenica,
Great job of identifying your goal (owning a business), and then obtaining the appropriate certifications to help you gain the skills needed!
I suggest finding a mentor who owns their own business. Share your goal of owning your own business and ask them about their career path and what steps they took to be successful. I recommend setting up an initial meeting, coming up with a 'to-do' from the initial meeting, and then following up every month or so to insure you are on track. In addition, if you run into any stumbling blocks along the way, you can touch base and get help.
I also recommend getting a part-time job (or, as time allows) at a construction firm or as an auto-mechanic at a car shop. That way, you can see how the business works and gain key insights into how you would do things differently.
I often feel like a goal is easier to achieve in bite-sized pieces.
Good luck!
Great job of identifying your goal (owning a business), and then obtaining the appropriate certifications to help you gain the skills needed!
I suggest finding a mentor who owns their own business. Share your goal of owning your own business and ask them about their career path and what steps they took to be successful. I recommend setting up an initial meeting, coming up with a 'to-do' from the initial meeting, and then following up every month or so to insure you are on track. In addition, if you run into any stumbling blocks along the way, you can touch base and get help.
I also recommend getting a part-time job (or, as time allows) at a construction firm or as an auto-mechanic at a car shop. That way, you can see how the business works and gain key insights into how you would do things differently.
I often feel like a goal is easier to achieve in bite-sized pieces.
Good luck!
Updated
Tara’s Answer
Hi Domenica,
Setting goals for yourself is a great way in which to accomplish almost anything. Goals can be both large or small. No matter the size of the goal, it is how you approach it and what you want to achieve from each that can help give that sense of accomplishment. Goals also help provide framework for you and to help stay organized and on track. There is a great acronym for goal setting:
SMART - Specific-Measurable-Achievable-Realistic-Timely
It seems like you are well on your way by obtaining certificates in construction and auto mechanics.
For each of these fields, hopefully you are working towards gaining some exposure to learn more about them as well as practical hands on experience.
All the Best!
-Tara
Setting goals for yourself is a great way in which to accomplish almost anything. Goals can be both large or small. No matter the size of the goal, it is how you approach it and what you want to achieve from each that can help give that sense of accomplishment. Goals also help provide framework for you and to help stay organized and on track. There is a great acronym for goal setting:
SMART - Specific-Measurable-Achievable-Realistic-Timely
It seems like you are well on your way by obtaining certificates in construction and auto mechanics.
For each of these fields, hopefully you are working towards gaining some exposure to learn more about them as well as practical hands on experience.
All the Best!
-Tara
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Jacob’s Answer
Hi - good start so far, you have a goal set. I would reach out to individuals that are in the line of business. See if you can get feedback from them, maybe ask them to be a mentor through the process.
Biggest thing to remember is it could take time and you may have to make changes during the process. Don't get frustrated and continue to push through to get your end result! Good Luck!
Biggest thing to remember is it could take time and you may have to make changes during the process. Don't get frustrated and continue to push through to get your end result! Good Luck!
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May’s Answer
These what I always believe -
1. Love what you do and always do your best
2. Appreciate people around you and work professionally
3. When plan A does not work, there is always plan B - don't give up
4. Understand how you and your work make a difference to the company and the society
1. Love what you do and always do your best
2. Appreciate people around you and work professionally
3. When plan A does not work, there is always plan B - don't give up
4. Understand how you and your work make a difference to the company and the society
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Rachel’s Answer
The biggest thing for me was setting goals for myself and setting a plan in motion to meet those goals. Work hard in whatever you do, no matter the job or career it is. You could work fast food, but be committed to that job, work hard at that job and if you are at a job and you want more, work towards more. It has always been hard work and dedication to get where I am today. Going over and beyond and striving to be the best that you can be.
Do not give up. Sometimes things get hard, you can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but never give up. You may have to take 2 steps backwards to get one step forward and that is okay, just remember what you are trying to achieve and work towards that.
Do not give up. Sometimes things get hard, you can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but never give up. You may have to take 2 steps backwards to get one step forward and that is okay, just remember what you are trying to achieve and work towards that.
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William’s Answer
I started out painting walls in peoples homes. The transformation from painting a wall a different color was amazing to me, it looked so much better. It turned out to be a lifelong trade, and I got paid every Friday for it! It was a decent living as far as the money goes. Years go by and just putting a new color on the walls started to get boring. I started to learn about other painting techniques called Faux finishes. Faux is a French term for "fake." The techniques uses sponges and rags to apply colors over other colors. Painting became fun again! I started painting skies on ceilings, columns on walls, faux brick, wood graining, etc.. Painting murals became a passion until I saw a painting of a boy coming out of a painting, it was called, "Escaping Criticism". The artist was Pere Borrell del Caso. I realized I had never painted on a canvas, walls were my canvas. My interest in art evolved from there. I took a mail in course at Pittsburgh Institute of Art. I started to learn how to draw in ink and pencil using shading practices such as, cross hatching, and the light and dark of the pencil. I continue to make a living painting peoples homes and business but also sell my paintings.
My accomplishment is to never stop learning.
My accomplishment is to never stop learning.
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Jeff’s Answer
Hi,
What has helped me in my career is working on emotional intelligence. While education is very important these five emotional intelligence traits, if you work on them, will help you be successful in your job. I suggest you google this information and do a little research on it.
Five Components of Emotional Intelligence at Work:
• Self-Awareness – Deep understanding of one’s emotions, strengths, weaknesses, needs and drives.
• Self-Regulation – Biological impulses drive our emotions.
• Motivation – If there is one trait that virtually all effective leaders have, it is motivation
• Empathy – Of all the dimensions of emotional intelligence, empathy is the most easily recognized.
• Social Skill – The first three components of emotional intelligence are self-management skills.
Self-aware job candidates will be frank in admitting to failure and will often tell their tales with a smile
People who have mastered their emotions are able to roll with the changes.
The very word empathy seems unbusinesslike, out of place amid the tough realities of the marketplace.
Social skill is friendliness with a purpose: moving people in the direction you desire.
Emotional intelligence can be learned. The process is not easy. It takes time and commitment.
I also really like setting yourself up with S.M.A.R.T goals as mentioned earlier. Working on your personal development and growing is key.
Good Luck, 😊
What has helped me in my career is working on emotional intelligence. While education is very important these five emotional intelligence traits, if you work on them, will help you be successful in your job. I suggest you google this information and do a little research on it.
Five Components of Emotional Intelligence at Work:
• Self-Awareness – Deep understanding of one’s emotions, strengths, weaknesses, needs and drives.
• Self-Regulation – Biological impulses drive our emotions.
• Motivation – If there is one trait that virtually all effective leaders have, it is motivation
• Empathy – Of all the dimensions of emotional intelligence, empathy is the most easily recognized.
• Social Skill – The first three components of emotional intelligence are self-management skills.
Self-aware job candidates will be frank in admitting to failure and will often tell their tales with a smile
People who have mastered their emotions are able to roll with the changes.
The very word empathy seems unbusinesslike, out of place amid the tough realities of the marketplace.
Social skill is friendliness with a purpose: moving people in the direction you desire.
Emotional intelligence can be learned. The process is not easy. It takes time and commitment.
I also really like setting yourself up with S.M.A.R.T goals as mentioned earlier. Working on your personal development and growing is key.
Good Luck, 😊
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Jon’s Answer
Domenica,
In whatever you decide to choose, I would highly recommend spending time in that field (construction firm or mechanic shop) gaining experience, making contacts, saving money, LEARNING how the business operates, and making sure its something you enjoy, and if you find you do enjoy it, then make start to make plans to open your own business and you'll be better prepared for success. I was self-employed with 2 different business's when I was younger, and despite some success, I regret that I wasn't fully prepared due to a lack of exposure and experience. ALWAYS BE POSITIVE (downers don't get anywhere) and good luck!
In whatever you decide to choose, I would highly recommend spending time in that field (construction firm or mechanic shop) gaining experience, making contacts, saving money, LEARNING how the business operates, and making sure its something you enjoy, and if you find you do enjoy it, then make start to make plans to open your own business and you'll be better prepared for success. I was self-employed with 2 different business's when I was younger, and despite some success, I regret that I wasn't fully prepared due to a lack of exposure and experience. ALWAYS BE POSITIVE (downers don't get anywhere) and good luck!
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MacGregor’s Answer
Auto mechanics/Technician are in high demand at Auto Dealerships. I would recommend getting into a dealership and learn a certain brand
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John’s Answer
Undeterrable enthusiasm.
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Nneoma’s Answer
First, I think it is admirable that you desire to run your own business (and in effect be an employer).
There are many factors that contribute to success.
It includes getting an education or acquiring the knowledge / skill needed to perform in the / your desired field. You could gain either in a taught environment or even through hands-on training / apprenticeship or 'shadowing' opportunities. You are already on the right path in terms of acquiring your certifications in construction and auto mechanics.
Deciding on what training to take should be preceded by an honest evaluation of your technical as well as soft skills so that you target the development activities to things that would put you in the best position for success.
Doing some research and arming yourself with information about the desired industry / business environment, the competition, the need for the service/products, the risks of the business, the costs or required budget for starting and operating the business; , etc. will also help you get a good grasp of what to expect. If there is a business or someone who is already in the 'situation' you are envisioning for yourself, find out as much as you can about the business and person and learn from it/them.
Having a plan of logical steps leading towards the desired goal- even if not fully fleshed out - will help keep you focused on tasks that will help you build towards the goal.
I've also found that having a mentor is a huge bonus. If there is someone who is able to 'walk with you' through developing and realizing your dream that would be awesome.
Starting a business will require financing so you will need to explore sources of funding for upstarts, small businesses. Be sure to explore traditional sources like banks and financial institutions as well as state, county resources and even private equity investors.
Finally, I encourage you to be excited and remain passionate about your vision... you will have a lot of selling to do and you may have start up challenges, … it is at such times you will need to draw on your excitement and passion to carry you through the tough times.
This is not an exhaustive list and your specific environment will have an impact on your unique process and experience.
Best wishes to you!
There are many factors that contribute to success.
It includes getting an education or acquiring the knowledge / skill needed to perform in the / your desired field. You could gain either in a taught environment or even through hands-on training / apprenticeship or 'shadowing' opportunities. You are already on the right path in terms of acquiring your certifications in construction and auto mechanics.
Deciding on what training to take should be preceded by an honest evaluation of your technical as well as soft skills so that you target the development activities to things that would put you in the best position for success.
Doing some research and arming yourself with information about the desired industry / business environment, the competition, the need for the service/products, the risks of the business, the costs or required budget for starting and operating the business; , etc. will also help you get a good grasp of what to expect. If there is a business or someone who is already in the 'situation' you are envisioning for yourself, find out as much as you can about the business and person and learn from it/them.
Having a plan of logical steps leading towards the desired goal- even if not fully fleshed out - will help keep you focused on tasks that will help you build towards the goal.
I've also found that having a mentor is a huge bonus. If there is someone who is able to 'walk with you' through developing and realizing your dream that would be awesome.
Starting a business will require financing so you will need to explore sources of funding for upstarts, small businesses. Be sure to explore traditional sources like banks and financial institutions as well as state, county resources and even private equity investors.
Finally, I encourage you to be excited and remain passionate about your vision... you will have a lot of selling to do and you may have start up challenges, … it is at such times you will need to draw on your excitement and passion to carry you through the tough times.
This is not an exhaustive list and your specific environment will have an impact on your unique process and experience.
Best wishes to you!
Updated
John’s Answer
Work ethic is one of the most important aspects of moving upward, sure education, setting and achieving goals, listening more than you talk, and choosing something you are passionate about. These all factor in, but nothing has been more important in my journey than work ethic. I have worked in business for over 30 years and have seen a lot of people come and go, many of which worked for me. Without a sincere, dedicated work ethic it will be difficult to advance in most companies. There is a lot to said for outworking the person next to you. It is much easier to develop a strong work ethic if you are passionate about the work you do. Be veracious reader and you will not only learn but will develop some of the tools necessary for the work you want to do. Communication skills, especially listening, are a very important part of developing your business acumen. Read books, on line articles, and listen to TED talks. There is a huge amount of information out there to assist you in your journey. Good luck with it.