Buy the Ticket: A Rockstar Approach to Your Career

I had one of those moments that got me thinking. I was visiting with a childhood friends new home and they had this super cool metal guitar pick art that said, "Buy the Ticket." Simple, right? But it hit me like a power chord. It got me thinking about how often we hold back, how we play it safe, especially when it comes to our careers.

Life is short.  We're not talking about a dress rehearsal; this is the main show! And so often, we get stuck in the rhythm of routine, of what's comfortable, or what we think we should be doing. We see that dream job, the career pivot, the entrepreneurial leap, and we tell ourselves, "Nah, that's too risky. What if I fail? What if it doesn't work out?"

And guess what? It might not work out the way you envisioned. But what if it does? What if that "ticket" you're hesitating to buy leads you to the most incredible stage of your life?

How many of us are sitting in jobs that feel more like a monotonous background track than a head-banging anthem? We've got these incredible talents, burning passions, and we're letting them collect dust because we're afraid to take the leap.

I'm not saying throw caution to the wind entirely. But I am saying, buy the damn ticket!

This could mean a lot of things for you:

•  Applying for that dream job that feels "out of your league." You might be surprised what you're capable of when you put yourself out there.

•  Starting that side hustle you've been dreaming about. Test the waters, see if it has legs.

•  Leaving a comfortable but unfulfilling job for something that truly excites you. Scary? Absolutely. Liberating? Even more so.

•  Relocating for a career opportunity. New city, new challenges, new perspectives. (I have done this several times, had some amazing experiences and met wonderful people)

•  Learning a completely new skill that could open up unexpected doors. Invest in yourself!

The biggest regret people often have isn't about the risks they took, but about the risks they didn't take. The opportunities they let pass by because fear whispered louder than ambition.

A  prime example of someone who bought the ticket… well, look no further than my own journey with "From Hi to Hired: Your Insider Guide to Internships." For years, I'd thought about sharing my insights in a book, started writing one once or twice and stopped. The idea was always there, simmering in the background, but work was too busy, and the fear of putting myself and my knowledge out there was a roadblock. What if no one reads it? What if it's not good enough? What if it fails? These thoughts at times were a screaming crowd in my head!

But then I thought about that guitar pick. I realized that if I didn't "buy the ticket" and commit to writing and publishing that book, I'd never know what could happen. 

I'd never get to help all the students and young professionals who are looking for that insider edge. So, I took the risk. I put in the late nights, poured my experience onto the pages, and pushed it out into the world. Hitting the #1 spot on the Amazon charts (for a short time) and hearing direct feedback from students and parents is an amazing crescendo. 

It's been one of the most rewarding "risks" I've ever taken. It's proof that sometimes, the biggest leaps lead to the most incredible views.

So, next time you're facing a career decision that feels like a big jump, remember that metal guitar pick. Remember the mantra: "Buy the Ticket." Don't let fear be the roadie that packs up your dreams before the show even starts. Take that chance. Invest in yourself. And let your career be the rockstar journey you were always meant to have.

What "ticket" are you going to buy today? Let me know in the comments below!