Make Every Day Countಮಾದರಿ

Shine Where You Stand

If you shine where you stand, put everything you have into your current position, and embrace where your feet are standing, you’re going to build a track record of production, reliability, and hard work to get that dream job eventually.

Remember that NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a backup for three seasons before he led the Green Bay Packers to a world championship and was named the most valuable player in Super Bowl XLV. Even Tom Brady, who was the 199th pick of the 2000 NFL Draft, barely played at all as a rookie with the New England Patriots. He famously took over the starting job when Drew Bledsoe was hurt in the second game of the 2001 season.

The rest, of course, is history, as Brady won seven Super Bowl rings and was a three-time NFL MVP. Brady and Rodgers didn’t put forth less effort as backups, instead they shined where they stood and prepared as if they were starters, so they’d be ready to play when their numbers were called.

Many people believe they’re going to start in the penthouse in life, but reality is that most of us begin our careers in the crawl space. In fact, some of us might be so far down the depth chart that we’ll need spotlights to find our names.

But that doesn’t mean you show up to work with any less enthusiasm or energy. Put everything you have into what you’re doing and shine where you stand. You’re going to climb the ladder eventually, but you might have to hold it steady for someone else for a while.