What to Know About Getting Ahead
When I ask someone what they think getting ahead means, I usually hear the following answers: being successful, financially sound, being better than others, and feeling fulfilled.
With so many descriptions for getting ahead, it is evident that every person has their own view of its meaning.
However, there are some common points that go with the concept of getting ahead that are important if you want to get results.
In This Article
1. Understanding “Getting Ahead of Myself”
This idea can be challenging because when we see an opportunity, we often jump on it with the mindset that we will miss out if we don’t move immediately.
Society has conditioned us to react quickly in many circumstances, especially if we consider that there is something to lose if we don’t move now.
However, taking impulsive steps is not always the right answer.
Sometimes when people are speaking or telling a story, we might hear the phrase, “I’m getting ahead of myself.”
This happens when they jump too far ahead in a description. There have likely been some important details missed in the content.
“Getting ahead of myself” in a life situation is much the same thing.
Often, we take quick steps or lean in rapidly when we feel a situation needs an immediate response. However, it would be more beneficial to spend some time in consideration and reflection of a decision before jumping in.
This practice can be interjected into most everything in life, aside from an emergency.
Again, this isn’t the way we normally proceed thanks to the hype that we feel all around us which often encourages immediate movement.
Sometimes, I hear people say, “Well I missed out, so I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
This reflects a posture of disappointment when we don’t get what we want and is more of a consolation for that disappointment. We might even want to turn off our emotions.
Perhaps we should enter situations hopeful but decide in advance that “things will work out as they should.”
This becomes more challenging depending on our mindset, which is exactly what drives the expectation of getting ahead in the first place.
Keep reading to see a better view of getting ahead.
2. Understanding “Getting Ahead of Others”
Before we discuss a better outlook, let’s look at one more version that we often have of this definition.
This example is how we see our status as compared to others. It is another of the points that I often hear when asking people their view of getting ahead.
Instead of moving too quickly into something as in the last example, this idea takes on the posture of highlighting the steps needed to be better than others or possess more than others.
The most common areas used in this measurement are with financial wealth, career, or personal status.
Overall, this view is a comparison with the goal of triumph or winning.
It can be a detrimental path to maintain especially since we have such a capacity to peer into the lives of others through videos, posts, and pictures with a portrayal of their situation.
We realize that all we see and hear isn’t necessarily true. Yet, we still quickly bring into play a variety of comparisons of social status to use as measurement for getting ahead.
In both this and the previous example, the actions and measurements of getting ahead can create a variety of emotional situations which only compounds the difficulty of the circumstances even more.
Let’s look at a healthier view of getting ahead.
3. Productive View of Getting Ahead
Now that we have outlined some of the difficulties and current definitions of getting ahead, we will address it from a healthier perspective which will encourage a better outlook.
The earlier examples both covered erratic movement or comparisons that often lead to emotional turmoil.
Neither of these options are preferred of course.
When addressing the idea of getting ahead in a more functional manner, we can view it in three healthier ways.
Focus on Your Personal Realm
It’s a known fact that we cannot control other people.
Along with that, it is beneficial to maintain the mindset that there are many things in life we cannot control.
While we are aware of these facts, it often does not change the outlook we have, or the steps we take toward our personal growth, or even getting ahead as we often define it.
Keeping our focus first on the things we can change is vital to promoting success when we attempt to get ahead.
It is up to each of us to identify what we can change and not sweat the things that will continue to happen around us that can become distractions.
It is important to understand the difference in developing our personal realm and being selfish. The latter is not what we are addressing here. That creates many issues on its own.
We are focusing on the idea that our own path to getting ahead is intentionally identified by us and purposefully walked out.
We cannot keep our focus on what others around us are doing or how quickly we need to advance if we want longevity in our outcomes.
Those situations often disappear or change and then we have chased them for no reason.
This is especially true with our relationship needs and growth.
Realize Your Strengths
In keeping with the focus on our personal realm, we can begin by looking at those things we do well and areas that we feel are being taken care of in the right way.
Even if we think there is no such thing, we all have strengths and areas where we shine. Stay open-minded to identify what those are in your life.
By looking at strengths first it becomes easier to realize how to address the next steps that we want to take to get ahead.
A side note here, when the word “easier” is used, don’t mistake that for lack of effort.
When attempting to take steps, there is always effort needed, but a better plan is to know what strengths are present to apply to each next step.
One place we can focus is on family wellness. This can be with children, parents, or even extended family. In most cases, it directly impacts our personal situation.
Identify What We Prioritize to Get Ahead
This is a very important step in the process of getting ahead.
Instead of reverting back to the quick focus of what we should do next and feeling pressured or using a comparison to set goals for how to get ahead, it is vital for each of us to identify what our own journey needs to be.
That doesn’t mean it won’t include other people, but the deciding factors of setting goals and taking steps should never be due to an impulse or comparison for winning out.
This should especially be portrayed to youth and modeled in a healthy way to those around us.
To keep the right outlook, we can use methods of staying mindful and even a spiritual focus which can help us gain great characteristics for resilience and longevity in daily circumstances.
4. Cautions to Take When Getting Ahead
Along with correct outlook and healthy methods, it’s important to recognize some areas that could create challenges and promote downfall when trying to get ahead.
With a realistic view and ways to handle difficulties, we can take steps to get ahead and move into more successful areas.
Check out some common ways that we struggle when attempting to get ahead.
Don’t Expect Immediate Results
As mentioned, a realistic view is imperative.
This doesn’t mean we can’t be hopeful that positive outcomes will take place, it simply means we should not focus on the immediate situation and judge negatively if we do not see a result.
Staying optimistic is vital to getting ahead, but this does not come by waiting for a result, it comes from a place of maturity in our character.
Instead of reacting poorly when we don’t see immediate result, we understand that sometimes greatness takes time to develop.
Optimism allows us to take on the mentality that we are assured something can happen, but it doesn’t have to be seen immediately as a measure of success.
With this, if a quick result does happen, then we are thankful, but we’re also prepared for the reality of a different outcome.
Watch for Signs of Continued Disappointment
Along with looking for immediate results, we can fall into the pit of disappointment very quickly if we do not see the outcome we want.
In addition to an optimistic outcome, it is healthy to take on a view of preparation for disappointment.
To some, this is portrayed as settling for less or not being hopeful, but with maturity of character comes the understanding that we are not assuming the worst but are always staying steadfast.
This outlook helps us understand that we will be challenged but will not falter. This comes from balanced whole-body health and is important to address each day.
Have Attainable Expectations
Unrealistic expectations can be a huge challenge in any part of our life but especially when trying to get ahead.
Forward steps can be snuffed by expectations that are not readily attainable.
When we compare our steps or abilities to those of others or act irrationally or quickly, it often births difficulty by promoting unreachable expectations.
Again, aspiring and having goals is imperative to personal growth, but the right mindset must be present to maintain achievement over time.
Having sporadic expectations, or those that are from comparison, are not necessarily the correct ones to shoot for when getting ahead.
We must assure that each expectation and goal we set is one that focuses on something we should personally be doing or attempting.
If we are looking at it from the wrong angle and with an incorrect focus, it likely won’t fulfill us long term even if it is achieved.
5. The Measure of Successfully Getting Ahead
After focusing on cautious circumstances to be aware of, we will look at ways to successfully measure getting ahead.
Focus
The first thought is to assure that we are focused on the correct area or idea.
Is it something that needs to be addressed, or is it based on incorrect reasoning only to propel forward in an area?
If the movement is based on sound inspiration, then it is a healthy focus.
Measuring success in this area takes realizing the actual steps that should be taken to promote growth and even the identification is a part of the success.
Action Steps
Action steps with a correct focus on meeting a goal are another measure of success.
When we view progression in this manner, it becomes obvious that a specific result is not the only method of gauging a good outcome. A breakthrough can be a measure for general progress.
Assessment
Assessing our journey can bring about positive and tangible measurements of victory when attempting to get ahead.
It isn’t all about the result because we grow and learn throughout our steps.
When we recognize this, it is an important part of getting ahead.
Final Thoughts About Getting Ahead
It’s common for us to judge outcomes based on guidelines that society uses to gauge success.
However, when approaching with a fresh outlook on our steps, getting ahead may not be what we originally defined it as at all.
Getting ahead is based on an authentic and optimistic approach of realizing our strengths and deciding action steps rather than allowing others, or comparisons, to drive our progression.
With the correct focus, we all can take steps to get ahead!