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If there is any motto that I try to live my daily life by, it would be “shoot your shot.” In short, it means to go after what you want. My shooting percentage isn’t always 100 percent, but I am okay with the misses. What I am not okay with is telling myself “damn, I should have attempted that.”

Shooting your shot is important no matter if you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, freelancer, or have a regular day job. If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll always be stuck in the same place. Below I outlined some tips and past stories of my experience going after what I want. They weren’t always positive, but they led me to where I am at today.

Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed

If you ask, you shall receive. Does that sound familiar to you?

In my mind, it is one of the simplest ways of getting ahead, but also the most difficult for people to do. For example, if you’re working for a company and have been there for a while with a proven track record, but your salary is below expectations, why aren’t you shooting your shot and asking for more? What is stopping you from going up to your boss and asking for a raise? I understand nerves come into play, but until you ask about receiving higher pay, the only one you can blame about your job dissatisfaction on is yourself.

Now, if your boss denies your request, at least you know where you stand in the company and can start looking for new opportunities. The point being, either way, you come out on top because you’ll either get a higher salary or know that you should move onto a better opportunity.

That is just one example of many. I always hear from people who are unhappy with their situation but aren’t actively doing anything about it. It’s definitely not an easy process by any means, but neither is change. If you want better, you got to ask for it.

Creating Your Own Situation

One thing is for certain, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to freelance if I didn’t shoot my shot. If I didn’t go for it and make the jump I would still be wondering what it is like to work for myself. Now, there are a lot of other systems you have to put in place before you make a leap like the one I did, but it all starts with attempting it.

It comes down to realizing what you don’t like about your current situation and doing something about it. As simple as it sounds, that is what it is all about. It is also a lot easier said than done, which is why a ton of people who are unhappy in their daily lives don’t do anything to make the change. However, until you shoot your shot, you’ll continue to be in the same situation with no improving.

Being Okay With Misses

Just like you were told as a kid, you don’t get everything that you ask for. I can apply for an executive position at NIKE, but it doesn’t mean that I am going to get it. However, I attempted the shot and to me, that is what counts. I found something that I wanted and went after it.

This is also how I deal with searching and signing on new clients. I am always actively pitching myself to new clients that I want to work with. I don’t always hear a yes back from them, sometimes no email at all, but I’ve been able to land clients that I normally wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work with because of this strategy.

You have to be okay with hearing no, and even no response at all. The way I look at it is you can only benefit from reaching out and asking. Even if you hear a no or no response, you’ll be in the same position that you are today, but not any worse off.

Don’t Play The Waiting Game

You can sit there and wait for your situation to change all day and you’ll notice that nothing will happen. On the contrary, you can start asking for what you want out of life, and be working towards it to make your goals happen.

The reality is we have no idea how long we are going to be on this earth for, so what is holding you back from living your best life?

Max Pete aka One Hand Wonder Man is a freelance website designer and digital marketer. Max Pete also specializes in social media management, email marketing, content creation, and paid advertising. You can check out his work and get in touch with him via his portfolio www.maxpete.co.