Trailblazer Success

What does success mean? Success comes in many shapes and sizes, most definitely is subjective but can have common attributes. Landing that job, gaining that certification, achieving that commendation, being awarded that prize... they all have very similar paths.

Knowledge is power but knowledge shared is more valuable. Don't conquer others for self gain, inspire others to join you in your quest to learn.

This is my definition of what success is and how I strive to be successful. Teach others, inspire others to be the best they can be. Have selfless commitment to a passionate cause. By doing these things YOU will be successful. How?... I'll explain...

These examples are from a Salesforce Trailblazer perspective but 100% translate into any walk of life.

Giving back with answers!

What is so important about this picture? This is the Trailblazer Success Community, and more specifically the answers section. Hundreds of questions each week, maybe even each day, get asked on this community by people from Admins to Developers, Clerks to CEOs.

By dedicating 5 minutes, half an hour, your lunch break - any amount of time to suggest a solution or walk someone through some tricky configuration helps other Trailblazers around the world to succeed. But wait... you just shared knowledge, by my definition that is more impressive than keeping it to yourself. I know for a fact that during the past month, while dedicating a large amount of my free time helping others here, I have learnt so much in the process because I researched my answers to ensure I did in fact help. What a fantastic thing to do?! Help others, learn in the process, share knowledge and inspire others to follow in your footsteps. Not only is this success, but this is COMMUNITY. Everyone is valuable and no matter your skill level, you most certainly can give back here.

Collaboration and Community

Now, Salesforce has various communities within its network. Think of it, if you will, the Ohana is the heart of this body. Our media channels are the veins, Trailblazers are the blood carrying the much needed content to our organs - the collaboration and user group communities.

Being a user group leader has taught me an incredible amount of useful lessons from soft skills to technical skills. Bringing people together, forming a strong network and engaging with like minded individuals allows you to gain connections, share topics and HAVE FUN. A huge part of success is having fun. What is success without fun? Being part of these user groups and collaboration groups allows you to give back to each other, rely on each others support when needed but also share fun happy memories which often enables you to remember these things in much more detail. Every single user group I have hosted and even been to, I have made a new friend, a friend that I know I can rely on both technically and even emotionally, should I need to. I would like to also believe that they know that the same is reciprocated. That is the power of the Trailblazer Community.

Networking and being connected when so far apart...

This is difficult. Especially given the world we live in right now. World politics, pandemic, geography, technology, they all get in the way in some form or another. Networking and maintaining your connections is so important. You must keep them intact.

But what are connections? Friends, colleagues, family? They are who ever you want them to be, the important thing is you respect them and they are in your life because you want them in your life, NOT because you are using them in your life. Bring someone into your life because you want to share memories with them... help them succeed... grow together. Don't look to include people to use them for your own agenda and then move on. Show each other respect and commitment.

Keeping in touch is difficult, especially if they live far away or you have a super busy lifestyle. Being a great connection doesn't mean you have to text each other every day. It just means that you remember each other, check in when you can and step up to support and help each other, sometimes even when you are not asked.

Be a Trailblazer

This is a something we all can do. Be a Trailblazer.

Apply to become a Lightning/Automation/Analytics champion, apply to be part of the Trailblazer Mentorship scheme, show your achievements to the world to inspire others to follow your footsteps in order to show them how to do it! Improve the world one small step at a time! Make this world a better place.

Be a Trailblazer.