This week I want to talk about taking chances. I began my beauty
training in high school, took my state board, was handed my license and was thrown into this wild
world of beauty. A bit ill prepared I might add. The industry back then, did
just not have the same tools for newbie's it has today. I
stumbled along for about 10 years, taking classes here and there and built a
pretty decent clientele. When I took a break to have a family I went to part
time work but was still missing something. While attending a class with Vicki Peters she
relit a fire in me. A fire that had been
reduced to a smolder. I took a chance and gathered my courage to speak to her
after the class. I was intimidated I must admit, she after all even back then
was an industry guru. But I took that chance. Vicki was quite different than
her classroom persona. She got very real, very quick, looked me square in the
eye and said" You need to be an educator". We walked down to the show
floor where she introduced me to several regional managers and told them I
would be following up with a letter. Just like that, in 10 minutes the
direction of my life was altered forever. Vicki took a chance on me that day
too, one I would not take for granted. And I certainly was not about to
disappoint her, even if she didn't know me from Adam. I did follow up with the manufacturers, got
hired by one and while working at the following show in the fall, I
reintroduced myself to Vicki as an educator for one of the manufacturers I met
that fateful day. Can I take credit for this chance, this change? Did I believe
in myself? Not completely. But others did, many others took a chance on me, on
the potential they saw in me. Way before I recognized it in myself. I still
pinch myself today wondering do I really have this segment on Nail Talk Radio
reaching thousands of listeners? Me?
Over the years my confidence has grown. I studied hard, worked
with mentors, crafted my skills to carve out a niche for myself. There is a philosophy
called stretch and secure. Every time we try something new, take a risk, we reach outside our comfort zone. Sort of
dangling over the edge of that cliff. It takes time for knowledge to build a
bridge under us and secure that growth. It is uncomfortable, sometimes scary.
But necessary. It is the cycle of growth, stretch and secure, stretch and
secure. Was everything I did successful? Heck no. I had my share of crash and
burn moments, the learning, growing, grunting moments. But each time I was
humbled I had the opportunity to begin again. With the new knowledge, well that
didn't work. Did I get discouraged? Absolutely. Did I have a few pity parties? You
bet! I'm pretty sure a few of you have been to them. But through all this
stretching and growing, crashing and burning, I know I have a gift. A God given
talent that I am supposed to share with the world. We all do. Maybe my journey
is my gift. To share with others my triumphs and tragedies. To share that if I
can so can you. What is your gift? What is it you are supposed to be sharing
with the world? Have you grown complacent where you are? Settling for good
enough? So take that chance, stretch yourself to discover your true purpose,
your gift. I guarantee.. you will Amaze yourself. Once you start walking and
working in your purpose nothing can stop
you. I've mentioned this quote before but it bears repeating. John Wesley, an
eighteenth century theologian said, “When you set yourself on fire, people love
to come and see you burn.”
All I can say is WOW!!
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