You are the Key to Your Own Success

You are you. That makes you unique and have things that no one else has to offer. You have something that I don't have and I have something that you don't. Together we make up the things each of us lacks - a whole if you will. I think part of our success is realizing this fact. To be honest, I have a hard time believe this sometimes. That I have something to offer.

No matter how many times people have told me, I am surprised that people find my blog useful. I'm more than flattered to have made the front page of BrazenCareerist.com a couple of times. I didn't really think that what I was posting was all that different than what other people were posting. Honestly, I just started because I liked having a voice and finding a place to dump my thoughts about my industry and comment about what's going on in the areas that I'm interested in. I'm just being myself.

I think that's a lot of what success is about: being the best you that you can be. Part of my job is to be a face to the company. This requires that I talk with people, network, go to local events, ask questions and call people to follow up. My personality is not all that conducive to this all the time. Why? I'm somewhat of an introvert.

Let me clarify because people see introvert and think: shy, quiet, insecure. It's not that I'm shy or insecure... It's just when I have to talk in front of people or go to a networking event where I'm meeting tons of strangers it wears me out. It takes a lot of energy for me to step out of my comfort zone. But I can do it and I like meeting new people, but that's just part of who I am. I could have given up, sat in the corner and sipped my beverage and waited for someone to talk to me, wondering why other people weren't very outgoing at a networking event. Instead I decided to be the best I could and muster up some energy (and courage) to talk to people. Introverts can be good networkers too!

I accept the fact that I have to space out my networking events or that I have to practice beforehand. But you know what? Practice makes perfect. And while I'm by no means perfect at being social at networking events, I'm better than I was before. And I hope that I'll continue to go in that direction. Accepting weaknesses does not mean that you are defeated. Use it to challenge yourself and make yourself a better person. Find ways to get around what makes you weak and use your strengths instead. Knowing where your weaknesses and strengths lie will help you work better and stronger.