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A well-stocked resume and standard requirements can be eclipsed by sheer will, integrity, and street smarts most any day. Whether you want to land the job, the gig, or the love of your life, passion persuades.

Present yourself as…you. As a first-year student at the London College of Fashion Design, Carrie was chosen to intern for legendary British fashion designer Margaret Howell – a highly coveted position that designers lined up for. The way in: Handwritten cover letter. Add personal design sketches. Wrap in parchment paper and craft ribbon. Deliver in person. And offer to work unpaid for a two-week trial period.

Immerse yourself in the culture. With only a high school diploma from a Canadian industrial town, Danielle became the executive director of a Washington, DC-area think-tank for global studies and scenario planning. The way in: Eat information whole. Subscribe to every newsletter, read every book, attend every conference. Ask questions. Invite people for lunch. Keep in touch.

THIS WEEK: Consider your dreams (the job, the gig, the love of your life).

Write out:

• 5 reasons why your dream is outlandish or the odds are stacked against you,
• 10 passions or beliefs, and…
• 5 persuasive actions that will get you what you want.

Then kiss mediocrity goodbye and prepare to move to the front of the line.