Hugh MacLeod's book Ignore Everybody, is a classic collection of well written articles and hugely funny cartoons:
One of the most interesting parts of the book is Hugh's explanation on power and the people who crave it. He explains:
Power is never given. Power is taken.
People who are "ready” give off a different vibe from people who aren't. Animals can smell fear. And the lack thereof.
THE MINUTE YOU BECOME READY IS THE MINUTE you stop dreaming. Suddenly it's no longer about "becoming". Suddenly it's about "doing".
You don't get the dream job because you walk into the editor's office for the first time and go, "Hi, I would really love to be a sportswriter one day, please".
You get the job because you walk into the editor's office and go, "Hi, I'm the best frickin' sportswriter on the planet." And somehow the editor can tell you aren't lying, either.
You didn't go in there, asking the editor to give you power. You went in there and politely informed the editor that you already have the power. That's what being "ready" means. That's what "taking power" means.
A rather interesting read for anyone who has ever craved for, asked for or haggled for a promotion. You know the kind I'm talking about here. The kind that graduates from a MBA school and expects nothing less than a private cabin and a team they can boss around.
You cannot be expecting the world to give you power just because you want it.
After all, anyone who wants power should not be given power, for obvious reasons.
Now go focus on the taking up more responsibilities and adding a little bit of passion to everything you do.
Stop worrying about the power bit. Seriously.
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