I was in my car driving to work and was listening to the audible book Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, and she made a statement that obviously had a huge impact on me because I pulled over my car so I could keep hitting the 30 second replay over and over again. I wanted to keep hearing her powerful statement.
“It is your ability to learn quickly and contribute quickly that matters.”
I love it when something hits me that powerfully that it stops me. If you have not read her book (which I would highly encourage you to do), it talks about women’s voices still not being heard equally in the decisions that affect our lives. It explains the root causes and gives solutions that can empower women to achieve their full potential.
I reflected back on myself as I thought about this statement and what it meant for me. I think the reason why that message resonated with me is because that it is how I go through life. It’s how I’ve “done” life.
I did not have any support growing up. It was me noticing what I didn’t have that I could have that was the driving force behind my success. I did not go to college. In fact, I wasn’t even aware that it could be an option for me.
So every job I have ever had, I wanted to work to be the person on top. I never really thought about not knowing the job or not being qualified for the job. I just knew that was where I wanted to be. If I wanted it and didn’t have it, I was going to work to get it. Hard work was a challenge to me and the reward was arriving where I wanted to go.
I can remember an interview that I had with this women that at the time was so intimidating to me. She asked me all these questions about real estate, and if I knew the definitions of particular real estate terms. I said, “No but if you tell me, I am a really fast learner and I will pick it up and I will not forget it.”
She hired me the same day, and I have been in real estate since then which is going on twenty years now, and this year I am celebrating being in business for ten!
At first glance, practicing this as a new habit may appear too hard. But look again and try. Always look again. Your confidence in your own ability will grow.
