As a leader, all who follow you are holding you up as an example. More important than how you perform, though, are your attitude, vision and the promise you make to pave a new path that sets great leaders apart. For Dwayne Wade, leading the Miami Heat to three titles and earning countless awards throughout his career have come from his commitment to stay true to a long-term vision on his own terms. And, as he has shown time and time again, when you do the work, the results soon follow.
Here are three tips for making your own way:
Sharpen Your Vision
You can’t make your own way without knowing where you want to take yourself and those who are following you. Always be developing and refining your vision, and keep solidifying what you want to accomplish when you reach each milestone. Compete with purpose. Train with purpose. Win with purpose.
Be Relentless
When something hasn’t been done before, it’s usually difficult to convince everyone that it’s possible. The same is true no matter what game you’re playing or where you’re playing it. One essential truth to embrace while making your own way is this: opposition, in all its many forms, is natural and meant to be overcome. No excuses. No short cuts. No stopping until the deed is done. Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable.
Champion Yourself
Whether you have a board of distinguished mentors or the respect your teammates and peers, at the end of the day, the most important support system you have is yourself. Making your own way requires making a vow to yourself. Every day, remind yourself that you have made a promise to stay motivated, focused, empowered and inspired to reach your destination. Celebrate the value you add and the impact you are meant to make.