I’ve Got A Feeling

You might begin by reading the title, “I’ve Got A Feeling” and think to yourself — what a fantastic song title, but my feeling has nothing to do with a song. My feeling has more to do with my future. Again, you may start reading this and think to yourself, “I do not care about your feelings concerning your own future,” but the truth is my future may have a direct impact on you!

In 2014, I graduated with my Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership and immediately was hired as a Professor at a private college. This was a great accomplishment for me and made my late grandfather very proud days before his passing. When I began my journey back to school, I did not realize how far I would go. I did not have an overarching desire to attend a Masters program. To be clear, I did not know if I was going to make it through my Bachelors program. I had great doubt. As my educational journey began, I found myself working harder than I ever had before. I also started to realize the possibilities, which stood before me.

Sometimes we do not realize those things within reach, because we do not believe we can accomplish great things. Having doubt is a determiner of the success of any leader. When we doubt our capabilities, we are limiting our potential to lead successfully. I have found the importance of removing doubt and leading with strength. This does not mean I have become the perfect leadership model. I am far from a perfect leader.

Other-times we may not see the options, which are right in front of us. I did not realize I could add value to my skill set by attending college. One of the most crucial values I learned is, fear cannot lead me. I have learned to take time and review the options, which are before me. I look for options that may not be seen easily. Again, I am not the perfect leader, but as I grow I am able to hone in skills. These skills help me to grow into a stronger leader.




Toward the end of my Master’s degree I started feeling a desire to enter a Doctoral program of Strategic Leadership with Concentration on Global Consulting. I decided to set a goal of 3-1/2 years of break before I started into the program. I was tired and burned out of writing papers. Recently, I decided to move forward and cut that time down. I will, upon acceptance begin my Doctoral program.

Saying you will walk down a path and setting a timeline to go down that path is a very different thing. For me, it is important to meet my goals. There have been people along the way who have told me I have gone far enough in my education. But achieving this goal is very important to me in order to gain the expertise and to provide me with further credibility.

During my program, I will be traveling the world, performing consulting tasks for various businesses. I will work toward achieving the degree path I have chosen to walk down. I will achieve what I set out to do. Many who start a Doctoral program do not succeed, but I must set my mind to complete the program and make my goals possible, no matter how difficult it may seem at the time.




The take away:
Have confidence in your leadership ability and strive toward see all the options which are in front of you, including the options that are difficult to see. Take time and commit to your path. Commit to growing and achieving your full potential. Do not allow others to distract you from those things, which are important to you and non-negotiable. Take it from me, you are more important than others opinion and your leadership will grow when you take the paths you feel are best, while considering the wise counsel of those around you.

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Dr. Justin Hardcastle

Dr. Justin Hardcastle (1982) was born in Sacramento, California, grew up in multiple cities and states, and returned to The Greater Sacramento Area in 1996. For 20 years, he established influence as a leader and continues to build influence today. He teaches as a professor, special education teacher, and continues to provide leadership in multiple realms. He has won several awards. Justin is an American author, recording artist, and founder of The Leadership Bulletin, Hardcastle Solutions, and Northview Church, Inc. His life-long mission is to empower, encourage, and equip others to reach their fullest potential.

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One thought on “I’ve Got A Feeling

  1. I I’am very impressed. You have been given a gift hone that gift it Wil determine you your destiny. God knows the future and I am very much in tune to the fact that great leaders do not start out at the top. One must work hard stay on course focused and detirmed, never stop moving is a quote I learned from my Father, the aged carry great wisdom, as I watch the fish swim up stream I here my father’s words if you quit moving you die. Never let the light go out. Carry your candle.

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