By Steve Beseke, beseke1@earthlink.net

Sometimes you have to take a calculated chance or two in your life and career offering a new/different way to use your unique and tremendous talents. The key for me has been to not always settle for what’s easy but open a little-used door or two to find what my potential could really be.

What about you? How have you tried to unlock your rusty-hunged door or two to find your true life gifts?

When I was laid off last year and not focusing well on which way to turn, my mental resilience and confidence were at a defining crossroads. I was let go from a company imploding from the economic crisis, but which had said I was “essential” and a “rock star.” I was working on all cylinders at a corporate communications executive position that allowed me to use my writing, speaking and interpersonal skills to truly make a difference for employees.

So what did I do wrong? Well, absolutely nothing! But my mind – at least for a moment or two – could not figure this out. Whether in your personal or work life, I know you’ve been down that road once or twice.

After some intense personal reflection, I thought of various directions to go. I could continue to feel sorry for myself and spin like a top not knowing which way to turn. I could continue to exclusively seek jobs in my chosen communications field that have proven to be very successful for me in the past. Or, I could look at my personal brand very hard and have a “heart to heart” with myself about what I wanted to passionately do for the rest of my life/career.

That’s when I decided to develop a personal business plan to use my range of talents in a more unique way and not just settle for the jobs I’ve had in the past. Consequently, I have very humbly developed my own own very successful worldwide resilient speaking, writing and consulting business.

My web site – http://resiliencyfirst.com – has surpassed 2 million viewers in a little more than a year. I am amazed, lucky and so gratified. I also will be leading a team of worldwide doctor and professionals on an international resiliency study. I’ll tell you more about that in upcoming weeks…

If you are in a similar career or life-changing situation, I suggest not always settling for what comes up or what you know you can do. Find a way to use your unique abilities to give you the opportunity to give you what you want.

You might say: “Steve, that’s easy for you to say because you perfectly fit into your new resilient world. You are naturally resilient because of your successfully  adapting to your lifelong physical disability (Cerebral Palsy), and your noted speaking and writing talents.” This, of course has helped…

To be honest, though, I am no different from you. In fact, you may have much more talent and potential than me. I have just understood my “chance,” and formulated and acted on a plan to make it a success. I also did not settle.

The word “settle” is not one of my favorite words when it comes to my career or life – I hope it is the same way with you. As we successfully navigate through this challenging economy, many friends of mine have had to settle for a new job they may not have necessarily taken if times were better. Other friends have had to settle for a deteriorating work situation with cuts at their company by as much as 75 percent.

Don’t get me wrong: Folks need to do whatever it takes to stop or avoid collecting unemployment checks. But settling can open up an entirely different can of worms when it comes to your confidence, belief in yourself and your passion for the future.

The lesson I suggest you ponder is what I’ve learned: Please don’t think you don’t have options – your skills and strengths have made you very successful so far. Find a way to take advantage of your situation whether you are employed or still looking for your next great work adventure. Take that calculated chance.

Too often in the past I’ve sold myself short and taken what I could get. I am 50 now, and I know it is time for me to re-look at what’s best for me.

What is truly best for you?

There’s no way you want to stay or accept a dead-end job, and spend the next few years lamenting how your skills are not being utilized to the fullest. As my resiliency example shows, you need to stick to your strengths, carve out your unique role and make a difference for the most important and terrific person in your life – You!

This calculated chance and belief has given me new life, direction and confidence over the last year or so. I know you can have the same success. Please just believe that you are so much more special than you always think  - that is, as long as you BELIEVE!!! Then, you won’t have to settle for a life and career controlled by other folks’ agendas.

Taking a hold of your life and not settling also will have an amazing consequence. Folks at work and in your personal life will see your confidence as never before. And, guess what? You’ll start seeing yourself in the same light. Wow! See what not settling can do for you…

I ask again: Are you taken a calculated chance or two in your life now offering you a new/different way to use your unique and tremendous talents? Unlock your tremendous potential and take a chance in yourself….

Until next week, thanks so much for making my blog one of the top resiliency and career/life advice sites in the world.