From the Heart
I heard the words . . . you could never do that.
Funny thing, it was me who said it. Actually it was the little voices in my head, echoes of voices that I had heard in my past.
Not smart enough. Too old. Female. Out of my comfort zone.
And yet.
At the age of 48 I found myself selling cars and trucks. I learned the language. Towing capacity. Torque. Axle ratios. FWD. AWD. Etc.
What if I had listened to the voices in my head? What if I talked myself out of trying something, so foreign to my comfort. I would have never arrived at this destination? (and never have met my husband)
I often get asked how I found myself selling cars and trucks. Well on my way to being 50 I got lost. The road signs pointed to a detour. A HUGE detour.
Caution, enter at your own risk. Curve ahead. Men at work. Steep hill ahead. Slippery road. I read the signs and yet I moved forward. Was I scared? Let’s just say . . . terrified.
To those who are trying to find their way in a foreign environment . . . listen up.
We hear the voices. We see the signs.
And yet.
What gives us the gumption to take a risk? What gives us the determination to do everything we can so as not to fail?
I think it is several things. A greater fear of drowning in the reality of the status quo. Being able to quiet the voices of negativity and discouragement. Realizing failure is not fatal.
I also think it is seeing the possibilities of success. It is realizing that there is strength in having a community of people who cheer you on. It is finding people who will come alongside you to help you succeed.
I had all of the above. All the fears. All the challenges. And yet. I had a community of people who believed in me. I had guys who did not have a negative mindset of having a woman enter into a male dominated field. I give them a lot of credit for helping me. They taught me. They challenged me. They dared me. Some even bet against me. I thank them all.
I do not feel that anyone can succeed without the help of others. And they should be appreciated and thanked.
I think that you can do anything that you set your mind and heart to do. Do it even if you are doing it afraid. Don’t let your education, your past, your age or your gender hold you back. Life is a challenge, no matter what.
I encourage the new guys and gals who come to work with me. I truly believe that if you help someone succeed then you will succeed even more. If you hang around the negative sayers then you will become one of them. If someone offers you the poison of discouragement . . . .don’t drink it!
Offer help to those who can help you. You will learn from the best. I did these things.
It does not matter what field you find yourself in, choose a mentor. Listen and watch and offer to help them. It will benefit you.
Listen to the words of those who have succeeded. Allow their words to drown out the voices in your head and in your past.
You are smart enough, you just have to be taught. Find people who are willing to teach you. You are put at the right place at the right time if you believe it to be so.
Never be afraid to fail. You might just succeed. And once you succeed, find those that you can help find their own success.
In the end, everyone can hear the words . . . You have arrived at your destination. Enjoy!