Glenn Llopis, founder of Glenn Llopis Group, shares eight ways you can exceed your own career expectations. 

Llopis quoted a line from John Lennon's song "Beautiful Boy",

Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.

He uses this line to describe what happens to a person in his career when he stops focusing on the things that matters most to him and life just passes him by. 

Opportunities are everywhere and Llopis shares eight points you can use to seize these opportunities for your career and your own personal life.

1. Don't allow negative judgment to disrupt your goals - You might think it's hard to believe but sometimes the only thing that's blocking your way is your own self. Never second guess your own abilities. If someone gives you feedback, learn from it and don't let it ruin your day.
2. Take ownership and strive to be relevant - People start becoming irrelevant when they listen to those that don't understand them and gives them distinction. Take ownership of your career and you will learn that the best measurement of success in pursuit of your own relevance is when the marketplace moves in your favor.
3. Work harder and smarter than everyone else - Be brave and take well-thought out chances. Stay focused and work harder. Become a subject expert, do your research and know your competition. Only then will you understand everything about the goals and aspirations you want to achieve.
4. Stay away from envious people - Some people struggle to find themselves and focuses more on what other people wants them to be rather than seek to be themselves. Dealing with envy is oftentimes a validation that you are on the right path but remove yourself from envious people because they might pull you down.
5. Associate with people that genuinely have your back - Gravitate towards leaders and people who have your back. Surround yourself with people that care about your best interests because they are the most objective about telling you the truth.
6. Diversity of thought is constructive disruption - Sometimes using unconventional and ethical ways can get you your desired results. Embrace diversity of thought.
7. Wisdom prevails during times of adversity - How a person responds when faced with adversity is what defines his ability to achieve career expectations. Take a step back and see the whole picture and see other opportunities that are initially unseen.
8. Don't allow other's ignorance to misguide you - Don't let other people's ignorance lead you astray because it will steer you off course. 

In the article posted by Llopis, he explains everyone has career aspirations but hold yourself accountable to build the right foundation to achieve them.