Today, Monique Moreno continues to take us through her leadership journey in part 3 of 5 of her leadership blog series. She is covering her leadership journey as she attempts to survive in this 21st century technological jungle.
Carpe Diem.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” –Mark Twain
I discovered the above quote one day last year while on the hunt for good quotes I could incorporate into my crafts (I know what you’re thinking, but no, I’m not eighty years old. I’m twenty, and I just really like to do crafts.) It was one of those profound things that you read and always remember.
Everyone at one point or another has used an excuse to get out of doing something. I know I have. I know I still catch myself trying to pull a fast one on myself from time to time. It’s rough out there. No one expects us to be perfect and yet we usually end up being our own worst critics.
The truth is, we can never better ourselves if we don’t take the leap. We can’t ever grow if we don’t ever let ourselves venture into new territory. If you stay stagnant your entire life, your roots will get cemented to the ground and you’ll end up a pesky weed everyone tries to get rid of because they’ve stuck around for too long in one spot.
Okay, maybe not. But, still. It’s healthy to take chances I mean, If Pocahontas hadn’t followed her heart when it came to John Smith, sure, Kocoum might have survived, but would she have really been in love with Kocoum? I don’t think so.
Leadership comes in all shapes and sizes, and no role is too small. You don’t even have to lead others, just learn to lead yourself and make decisions that make you a better you! In college, I’ve learned to apply to everything. The worse that can happen is that it doesn’t quite work out. I recently applied for a leadership position that had to do with studying abroad that I didn’t think I had a chance of landing. I didn’t get it. (See? These things happen to everyone.) I didn’t think I was qualified and I knew there were people applying who were way more qualified than I was, and that person did, in fact, get picked. However, I decided to apply on a whim because it was something I wanted.
Although I was disappointed I didn’t get it, I was proud of myself that I applied. I am also a firm believer that everything happens for a reason which resonated true in this case as shortly after that I was approached to take on another duty that wouldn’t have been possible had I been offered the first position. In fact, it was my initiative on the first role that got me noticed for the second role, which just goes to show that you never know who’s watching.
So seize the day. Apply for that dream role you’re scared to apply to. Stop overanalyzing and just do it! Stop journeying down the safe path and take a chance on the risky path every once in a while. You’ll be surprised where it may lead you; I know I sure have been.
Check back next Thursday to read more about Monique’s leadership journey!