DEAR HARRIETTE: I am the older sister to two incredibly successful younger siblings, both thriving in their careers at Fortune 500 companies.
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While I couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments, I find myself struggling to make ends meet, and the contrast in our financial situations is difficult to ignore.
Witnessing their achievements has, at times, created a sense of inadequacy about my own life. While I celebrate their victories, I can’t help but question my own independent path and wonder why I haven’t achieved the same level of success.
The pressure to keep up with their achievements has become increasingly challenging. I work very hard, but circumstances seem to conspire against me, leaving me struggling with the everyday challenges of making rent, paying bills and simply keeping my head above water. It’s a humbling experience, and at times, it feels like I’m drowning financially.
How can I come to terms with my journey, recognizing the individual paths each of us must take?
— On My Own
DEAR ON MY OWN: One of the perks of a successful corporate career is often a healthy paycheck. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the corporate executive is “better than” anyone else. It means the person works in a lucrative field that pays well.
You need to stop comparing yourself to anyone, including your siblings, and concentrate on yourself.
Assess your life and income. How much money do you need in order to care for yourself properly? How much do you earn, and how much more can you earn in your field? Do you need to consider doing something different? How can you increase your earning power? It doesn’t mean you need to go corporate. It may mean you have to get creative and find another path toward your own fulfillment. You can do it.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am currently grappling with the aftermath of a significant failure in my previous business venture.
The experience of starting a business and facing a major setback has left me feeling deeply discouraged and afraid to try again. The fear of failure has taken hold of me, making it challenging to muster the courage to embark on a new entrepreneurial journey.
How can I overcome this fear and regain the confidence to pursue my entrepreneurial ambitions once more? How can I move past the fear of failure and learn from my previous mistakes to approach future business endeavors with resilience and determination?
I am eager to turn this setback into a learning opportunity and rebuild my confidence in my abilities.
— Bankruptcy
DEAR BANKRUPTCY: Join business organizations that cater to your areas of interest. It could simply be entrepreneurial groups in your town.
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You will discover that many entrepreneurs have failed at many businesses. They get knocked down, and they get up and start over — again and again. Being around people who have had those experiences may help to toughen you up.
To identify a business that may work for you, do some research.
What are the needs in your area that interest you? Filling a need is the best way to be successful. Pay attention to your friends, loved ones, neighbors and even passersby. What do they care about? What is missing in their lives? Figure that out, and offer it to them. Success will, in turn, be potential.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.