We recently connected with Chris Cirak and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

The defining moment in my life—one that had the biggest impact on me personally and professionally—was when I made a choice to take full responsibility for my happiness. Until then, I had focused on finding reasons why life wasn’t working out for me, why it was harder for me than anyone else, and why I could never achieve the things I wanted.

Once it clicked that I was 100% responsible for how I felt, everything changed for the better. I started seeing opportunities that I didn’t see before when I was mired in my victimhood. People suddenly enjoyed my presence, wanted to be around me, and they wanted me on their team. Everything picked up from there.

Taking ownership of your life is one of the most important lessons in life, if not THE most important. Don’t wait for the world to solve your problems for you. You might wait forever and miss out on this precious life.

Chris, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Whatever you do, you have to be authentic. People can feel that, but it’s not something that can’t be faked. What makes you authentic is having gone through the struggles and persevered. In other words, the things you resist the most – the challenges of life – are your greatest gift. They deepen you and make you real. It’s only from this place of realness that have the confidence to help others. If you haven’t overcome anything, you won’t have the authority to show others how to do it. Makes sense, doesn’t it? So welcome the obstacles that life sends your way. They shape you into the powerful, authentic person you’re meant to be.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Whatever field you’re in, you have to become known as “that person who does xyz.” This takes time and perseverance. It might be frustrating to feel like you have the skills and experience. But there’s an element of being around long enough for your energy to occupy the space of your profession or discipline—where your name becomes synonymous with the space.

Contact Info:

• Website: cirak.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/chriscirak/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriscirak
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/chriscirak/
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/chriscirak
• Youtube: http://youtube.com/chriscirak