Excerpted from “The New Corporate Entrepreneur” by Marianne Mohr

Step one: Take a job for the opportunity, not the money

Once you’ve chosen a Business Vision and Plan that maximizes your assets and provides value, stay on track by seeking and accepting a position which provides the best opportunity to flex your strongest muscles. You may be tempted instead to choose security or a “little more money” or even an ego-stroking job – but if the environment does not let you hone your best skills or passions – you will likely be stuck in a job you don’t like or one that never evolves. This is one of the first tests of entrepreneurial thinking: can you be selective with the opportunity you accept? You haven’t come this far with your dream to throw it in the dumpster – just because you get an offer to become the “The manager of something not too interesting.” Consider carefully and ensure that the job takes you in the general direction of your skillsets and offers you the ability to add value and stay close to revenue generating functions where your skills will be most visible and appreciated.

Like a wide road on a journey of your heart… as you head westward (your passion or skill) you may take the right side or left of that road, you may even veer a little to the southwest or take the footpath off the road a little way. But you don’t turn suddenly east to get to your destination – nor north and south zigzagging along. So it is with your career dream. Choose wisely.

There is simply not enough time in a day, week, year or lifetime to do everything. If you do not choose consciously and allow everything to pull you, you will eventually become exhausted or get a heart attack. Choose wisely and be patient. When you are operating from your strengths, it shows and you are happy. And opportunity comes sooner to a man or woman with a dream in their heart, a smile on their face – and a warm, helping hand extended to the ones around them.

Marianne Mohr is a retired investor and business consultant from Southern California and currently Advertising Director at MTD Media. Reach her at 575-937-4015 or marianne@ruidosofreepress.com.