Where are my Thomas the Train fans at? Do you remember taking naps on squishy red and blue mats? Playing with a colorful parachute in PE class? Maybe your kindergarten class looked a bit different than mine but odds are that’s probably where you remember your first hurdle in life. How many times did you sing “under, over, around the tree, swing past the knothole, pull and see” while tying your shoes? Did you stumble on your first attempt at hopscotch? No matter your current life status, you’ve all been defeated at one point or another.
Up The Hill
Climbing up that hill with a full load of coal can be challenging but it makes the reward that much sweeter. A recent Forbes article stated “women don’t feel confident until they’ve checked off each item on the list” when referring to job applications. As a woman who recently ran through the gauntlet of job hunting, I can totally relate and agree when the author of a Harvard Business Review article says “women need to have more faith in themselves.” This blog isn’t going to be a rant for “Women Supporting Women” or a feminist push (however we do deserve equal pay) but rather an eye-opening experience for anyone in the workforce.
On The Hill
The American Dream; the belief that we all have a fair chance to be the next Warren Buffet. While this statement has an ounce of truth, the biggest barrier on the road to success is ourselves. Personally, I can think of several moments in a previous or even my current job position where I had the opportunity to try something new but didn’t. I was scared. I was scared at failing and being seen as a less successful employee. Truth is, that’s where we shine. When we are uncomfortable, we act out of instinct. Think about the last spontaneous trip you had. It could have been to Target on the way home from work or a girls’ trip to Arizona. Was it fun? Of course, you may have experienced hiccups but your instincts took over and you were ‘just vibin’, having fun. In college, I took an internship near Seattle, Washington. Was I scared when I said “yes! Thank you for the opportunity.”? Of course, I was. Was I nervous to drive in a crowded city with no tractors or cows in sight? You’re darn tootin’ I was. That experience however built strengths that I never thought I’d have. I can switch across a 6-lane freeway without hesitation or plan an event for 200 people at a PNW shopping mall. Being on the hill of life is one of the shortest experiences, so embrace the awkwardness because the reward is coming.
Full Speed Ahead
The other day at work, a coworker asked for a “huuuuge favor”. Immediately, my brain said “No! Stay away!” but this little itch inside me begged to try something new. Our company, amid COVID-19 fear, needed to work on some reputation management, more specifically a public statement. It was 5 minutes until my 5 o’ clock but an urge (more than likely an unwillingness to go home to an empty apartment) volunteered to write the public notice. Me. A 23-year-old girl who writes punny social media messages. I whipped out a few paragraphs and ended the day with a sense of rejuvenation. I walked out the door ready to conquer the world even though my plans revolved around a bottle of Calamity Jane and self-quarantine. But that’s not the point. The message is that somewhere I instilled in myself that I could. I could write material that I’m not familiar with. My young voice could replicate that of a veteran public speaker. And that’s what I want to remind you of as the reader. If you don’t have a cheering section, that’s fine. You only need one to lead a cheer and that’s me. Believe in yourself. If you think you can, you can. Thomas the Train could and aren’t all children’s stories an underlying message for life.
Climbing up the hill is the hardest part but think about gravity and momentum as you are on your way down that hill. So keep on trucking because I hear there’s home-made snacks at the unloading dock.
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