There are those who seem to have it all when it comes to their career. Did they get there from luck? Was it simply hard work? Or was it a perfect combination of the two?

A career is dictated by many factors, some of which will be outside of your control. Instead of becoming fixated on those things, look at these four ways that you can do to create your own success.

Envision Success

The first step to achieving success is determining what it will take and believing you can get there. By having a goal in mind and acknowledging the effort it will take, you’ll be preparing yourself for the obstacles that may come.

While visualizing a path is important in creating a foundation for what you want to do, you shouldn’t let it become restrictive. Don’t get so caught up in the big picture that you miss little things that could make a difference.

There will also be times where you’ll get to a point in your “path to success” where your current situation doesn’t line up with what you had envisioned. Remember, there is no single path and there is no finish line. Continuing to learn and always wanting more are valuable parts to achieving sustained success.

Embrace New Opportunities

In order to further your career, you’ll have to be willing and able to take on new projects or opportunities that may be outside your comfort zone. One of the worst things you can do for your career is to become complacent and get stuck in a rut. Don’t shy away from experiencing new things. From these experiences, a separate path can be created where you can gain knowledge and insights that wouldn’t have been available previously.

With that said, don’t overextend yourself and lose focus simply to pursue your ambitions. When you take on too much, you can lose your way. If you do that, you’ll have to take a step back and re-evaluate your career plans.

Accept Failure

With taking risks and trying new things, you’ll have to accept that failure will come. By pushing yourself, you’ll get to know the true extent of your abilities. This can be tough at first and mistakes will be made, but when you make it through you’ll have the confidence and versatility to accomplish more than most.

No one is successful all of the time. Don’t let inaction and the fear of failure hinder your potential.

Stay Positive

Maintaining a positive attitude throughout your career is critical. If you can take a look at your situation and see what is going right instead of what is going wrong, you’ll not only be more likely to see yourself as successful but others will too.

Looking for a new position? Here are some tips to make your own luck in your job search!