Success isn't linear ↗

Jan 30, 2019

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#WednesdayWisdom

"I've learned to tap into my own vulnerability, to trust myself more and to know that what I'm bringing is enough." — KiKi Layne

Morning Musings

The 10-year photo challenge has been getting a lot of love lately. It started with people posting their first Facebook profile picture and their current one side-by-side.

My first profile pic, for some reason, isn't available on Facebook. But I know for a fact it was the same as my freshman year student ID because Facebook didn't exist until the fall of 2004.

I was sitting next to our class president in the computer lab and asked if he could send me my ID picture so I could join The Facebook. Oh how far we've come.

But when I saw someone post on Twitter about what you were working on/trying to accomplish in 2009 vs. 2019, I jumped right in:

If you had told me 10 years ago that I would be living in Chicago and working at a nonprofit, I would have laughed in your face. That was not part of the "plan." You see, I was destined to become a hotshot magazine editor living the glamorous life.

At least, that is what I was working toward. I even got a glimpse of that life when I moved from Baltimore to Chicago to work as the digital content editor for the prolific JET magazine. But I quickly learned not all that glitters is gold.

I'd gotten into journalism to help teen girls, but the 24-hour news cycle combined with the virility of social media and the endless slaughter of Black men and women was enough to make my head spin. So I had a change of heart and decided to switch careers.

A million thoughts went through my head: would I have to go back to school? Who would hire me without any nonprofit experience? What will my family and friends think? Does this mean I'm a failure?

If I learned anything from Sheryl Sandberg's bestseller Lean In, it's that your career is more of a jungle gym than a ladder. "A jungle gym scramble is the best description of my career," she wrote. "I could never have connected the dots from where I started to where I am today."

Same, Sheryl, same.

Success is not linear. Careers don't go according to plan. But as my friend/perpetual work husband Pedro once told me, "you can change the method, but never the mission."

My mission has remained the same since day one: inspire, educate and empower young Black women. But I've switched up the methods a time or two and I can't wait to see what shape the mission will take on next.

If you're considering a career change, major move or simply trying something new, go for it. Life's too short for "what if's?" and regrets. As my friend Anuli says, "follow your curiosity." See where it takes you. Who knows? You may just look back and smile at the journey.

Love,
L'Oreal

P.s. Serious about that career change? My coaching services are 10% off if you book by Jan. 31. Let's make your dream job a reality.

ICYMI

Raise your hand if you always assume the worst when making a decision?

You're not alone. I talk about how to make decisions from a place of hope, not fear, in my latest for Shine.

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My Latest Obsession

If my Spotify Top Songs 2018 playlist revealed anything, it's that I'm a creature of habit (and I loved APESH*T and Drake). But in a small effort to try new things, or at the very least listen to new music, I've been listening to some new (to me) playlists. Lately, Are & Be has been in heavy rotation, particularly Ella Mai, H.E.R., Daniel Caesar and Pink Sweat$.

Do you have a playlist recommendation for me? Hit "reply" and let me know!

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