Recently I stumbled on the song “My Shot” by Hamilton and I will like to bring out five lessons from the song.
Do the work!
I am not throwing away my shot! I am not throwing away my shot! Hey yo, I’m just like my country I’m young, scrappy and hungry And I’m not throwing away my shot!
We all need constant reminders to not throw away shots that comes our way. Before getting to the point of taking shots, you need to leave that comfort zone you love so dearly. You can’t take shots from the sidelines, it does not work that way.
Be intentional about it, make plans about it. Work on yourself, build and acquire all skills needed to get that perfect shot. Let that hunger for excellence drive you to make the perfect shot.
Be your own hype man!
With every word, I drop knowledge I'm a diamond in the rough, a shiny piece of coal Tryin' to reach my goal my power of speech, unimpeachable
Believe in yourself, believe you deserve whatever shot you are about to take. Don’t wait for people to “gas” you up. Know what you are good at, constantly complement yourself, be your own hype man. Make physical and mental notes about how much you’ve grown. Acknowledge your achievement and always celebrate the little wins.
Be confident but not cocky!
Oh, am I talkin’ too loud? Sometimes I get over excited, shoot off at the mouth
There is a thin line between being confident and being cocky. Be proud of yourself, believe you can take “the shot” but also have the skills required to back up your claims. In other words, be realistic about your strengths, understand what you are good at and know what you aim to achieve from taking “the shot”.
Cockiness, on the other hand, is simply showing off, people who are cocky do not have the skills needed to back up their claims, they run their mouth, smooth talkers with little or no output. They take shots in a vacuum without thinking of the effects of taking said shot. Don't be cocky!
Have your Tribe!
I never had a group of friends before I promise that I’ll make y’all proud
Have friends that will always hold you accountable for your actions. Friends that will tell you how bad you’ve messed up without mincing words. Friends that will encourage you when you get rejected from taking shots. Friends that will help access your approach of taking shots, they’ll help you restrategize, they’ll make suggestions and even practice with you.
Create your tribe, and always appreciate them.
Suppress false expectation
We're gonna rise up (time to take a shot) We're gonna rise up (time to take a shot) We're gonna, rise up, rise up
The biggest step is recognising the right shot to take while suppressing the fears and doubt about taking said shot. Someone once told me that F.E.A.R is a “False expectation appearing real”. Think of it deeply, whatever you fear right now are all false expectations.
Are you thinking about applying for a job? Thinking about taking a professional examination? Thinking of relocating to a new country? Looking at your DM’s wondering when you’ll finally take your shot at talking to someone you’ve been stalking online?
No worries, do the work, be your own hype man, be confident and not cocky, have your tribe who will hold you accountable for your actions, then suppress all false expectations.
Take that shot!