If you’re ever driving Highway 1 along the California central coast, a great place to stop, stretch and enjoy the scenery is the Pigeon Point Light Station. It juts out prominently over the water about 50 miles south of San Francisco. People from all over the world stop here to take in the magnificent views of the ocean, tide pools, dramatic hill sides and rock formations. It’s also a great place to scan the water for migrating whales, sea lions and otters, or just watching the waves. The grounds are lush with flowers, shrubs and trees that are well maintained.
But that maintenance can only go so far in the constantly changing, and frequently harsh conditions that affect this area and its coastal habitats. High winds, strong tidal currents and pounding waves take their toll on all but the most vigorous of land masses and all that grow and move on and within them.
Here is an example of one of the heartiest species. Although it’s bent, it sure isn’t broken!
Although it doesn’t fully convey the real impact of this Cypress tree, I took this photo hoping to show that it’s still alive and thriving through its constant beating by the elements. What you don’t see is that less than six feet to the right is a drop-off of about 15 feet where some roots from that tree protrude through the dirt and rock and are a visible part of the hillside. The words Perseverance, Fortitude, and Will, immediately came to mind when I first caught sight of it. This tree still wants to be green and grow because of its complicated (both symbiotic and adversarial) relationship that it has with the elements.
In life, there are obstacles that must be overcome. In the same way that the Cypress fights the elements and perseveres to survive, us humans have to fight to overcome the impediments that interfere with our growth and goals. No matter the stage of your career, whether job seeker or seasoned professional, employee or entrepreneur, it takes a lot of grit to keep pursuing your goals in spite of a seemingly endless stream of hindrances that get in your way.
Rare is the job seeker who gets every job they apply for. Most deal with a seemingly endless stream of rejections, or worse, no response contact whatsoever. But the need to survive and thrive necessitates endurance and fortitude to move past the rejections and lack of communication until you find the right job match. Same thing with entrepreneurs who typically face a lot of “no’s” before their sales and funding pitches are accepted.
Getting past these, and other impediments takes resilience. You can’t dwell on past rejections or wait for responses that may never come. To do so could paralyze your efforts and make continuing that much harder than it needs to be. Muster the strength to move forward, even though you know you won’t be obstacle-free. Make an effort to find out why things aren’t going as hoped. Discover and improve on the “red flags” that others see that you may not be aware of or didn’t take seriously enough.
Information you can glean from failure can aid in achieving success, especially if you can apply what you’ve learned and make changes and improvements. Missing a required skill? Learn it and get proof to document that you’ve achieved an appropriate level of competency. Take classes and pass tests to gain any certifications you might need. There are all kinds of actions to take to improve your odds of achieving your employment goals.
In case you haven’t noticed, job search and career growth are a numbers game. The volume of material you communicate with others in search of work or career advancement is totally disproportionate to the actual hiring process. Let’s say you send out 100 resumes/applications over the course of 6 months. Remember that yours is one of the hundreds the employer will receive, for each job opening they may have. Though the odds aren’t always good, with all that output, you still only need one “yes”!
Along with patience, fortitude, and perseverance, are you confident and passionate about your goals? I hope so! These attributes are a necessity today! The competition for good jobs is fierce. Employers don’t have the time or inclination to reply to every applicant; they have likely never seen 90% of potential employee submissions, and maybe only five will be interviewed. A serious job seeker must find a way to distinguish themself and demonstrate that they are the best possible candidate to fill the desired position.
Confidence in your own abilities is important, but it’s your ability to answer the tough questions, like: How do your skills and experience meet the needs of the employer? What do you know how to do that the employer needs done? Can you convince that employer that you are indispensable?
Those with the will and fortitude to pursue what they believe in have the best shot at success. Whatever it is you are going after – a new job, career, relationship, relocation – commit to it wholeheartedly, whether it’s your ultimate goal or your immediate need. Dedicate yourself to ensure that your efforts aren’t in vain. Work toward your goals with every fiber of your being! And do it for the long haul! Demonstrate that you have perseverance, fortitude and will, and dedicate yourself to achieving your dream. Be like that cypress and survive and thrive.
# # #
Click here for more info about the Pigeon Point Light Station
# # #