The Most Important Quality to Have in Business
Where to start?How about… these nails make it super hard to type and so you should know that (I think) what I have to say is “extra” important because I’m willing to bear the extremely obnoxious pain of thumping on the keys like a first grader with wet finger nails for THISand for YOU. Just excuse me already for having spelling errors or poor grammar because (quite frankly) it’s not worth the inconvenience of correcting with these claws! *MOAN* But aren’t they posh?
Okay, moving on.
Today I want to talk about humility.
No, not the kind of humility you’re thinking.. like the, oh, be humble and don’t brag kinda thing. This is more like “career/life humility.” So, us *for lack of a better phrase* “entitled millennials” have been given gold stars for participation since grade one. 50 years ago, college was a privilege; not a party. I mean, there was a time (not so long ago) where going out to dinner was a huge treat (remember that kids? Remember that from growing up?)! Now… who goes out to dinner multiple times a week? Most of us. I can only speak to this because I am guilty of that modern ambivalence as well. There are ways, however, that I have gained traction and moved ahead in my career, personal life, relationships, and overall success and every single one of them starts with humility.
Here are a few tests you’ll face as a young professional.
Would you pass?
ONE : Will you grind?
Will you work the jobs that you don’t want to work in hopes that someday they pay off in relationships, skills, technique, rapport, or experience? Will you do things you “don’t want to do?” Will you rise above that pride and start at the bottom?
There is a huge difference between being a “hustler” and being a “strategic hustler.” There is a difference between “sticking it out at a job” and “sticking it out to get that work on your resume.” There is a difference between staying late because you’re slow, inefficient, and unprepared… and staying late because you’re grinding. So, what’s the point of this whole idea.. you say? If you feel in control, in total control, and you’re under 30… you’re doing something wrong. Even though I now manage my time (huge plus!), I do things every single day that I don’t “really” want to do. Overall, in the long run, yes, it’s worth it.It’s rewarding. It’s essential to running a business. If you wake up and every single moment of every day is easy and effortless, then I feel sorry for you, because sooner or later the meaninglessness of your life will catch up with you and SMACK you in the face. Harsh? No. Truth.
I don’t want to string you along for a needless tangent, but the next example I’m going to give is crucial to my point.
I am 10 years into my photography career, 10 years. I will still take a Bar Mitzvah, a grandma’s birthday party, reunion, etc. those events no one really wants to do (as long as they pay, of course). I am not “better” than a gig. Now, if I had 3 kids and 4 jobs and was super busy, I might look at it differently, like, they’d better pay a LOT… but I wouldn’t turn them down. Money is money and more money will help me and help my business. Experience is experience. Exposure is exposure. You know the funny thing about shooting obnoxious events like reunions? You meet people. All of the sudden you have 100 people who see you with a camera in your hand and if they needed a photographer for their daughter’s wedding… well, now you’re 1 HUGE step closer to that gig. It absolutely baffles me how people will turn down opportunities just because it isn’t exactly what they’d “love” to be doing. Anyways, moving on.
TWO : You’re already behind. Do you have what it takes to rise?
When I started in Finance, there were 4-6 other people in my same position. Bri had been doing it 2-3 years, Joel, 6 months, Julienne 3 months. Each of my peers already had a jump start at something. And not just time there, I mean they were all older, more experienced, etc. It’s easy to let this get you down. It’s easy to let it discourage you.
You can’t.
You have to believe that if you work hard and get better and are really passionate about something… you can own it and make it happen. BUT, never once did I walk in the room acting like I owned the place. (***Not a great way to make friends!***) I put my head down and was a team player despite the inherent competition. I accepted my place in the game and in the long run, it helped me. Humility is key!
THREE : Will you take criticism?
This one is HARD for me too.(I say me too, because whoever you are.. you struggle with it. We all do!). No one likes to hear that they need to change something and it’s easy to get defensive. Really easy. It sucks. Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me cringe… but you know what, it’s essential to success. Maybe this person who is trying to guide you is doing it to HELP YOU and actually knows their stuff?!
FOUR : Will you step down and trust others who know more?
As I’ve grown as a creative and business woman, I’ve sought after as much help as I could get. Mentorship is key. That sentiment of sitting down with someone who is vastly more knowledgeable and accepting that they have some wisdom to share with you; KEY. Just acknowledging that it’s an honor to even be WORTH some of their time and guidance is a huge deal. This isn’t rocket science. Be humble and learn. No one likes a BSD. If you want to progress, you have to be able to learn from the best. Trust me honey; you weren’t “born with it” and it surely wasn’t Maybelline.
FIVE : Do you believe in magic?
No? Great. Me either. Success in your life, business, job, craft, etc. is not going to happen overnight. It’s not going to happen magically. It’s not going to happen without creating a strategic future by design… or I guess if you’re the yodeling kid. And, if you’re not seeing progress… please see questions 1-4. Start humbling yourself. Get LOW. Do things you don’t want to do. Take every single opportunity to grow, expand, learn, and develop. It’s almost comical to see people start things and flop because they put the cart before the horse.
SIX : Are you overcoming weaknesses & pain points?
If you can only do X, Y, and Z to further your business on the weekends, you’re never going to make it. I mean, you might, but just 15 years later than everyone else who is working 7 days a week to reach that same goal. I’m not saying you shouldn’t rest or put 100% into your day job or family or whatnot… but if you’re not able to do things for your progress at any given time of any given day… or at least more days than not, I don’t believe you actually want it. This weekend I worked 16 hours of it. BUT I took Monday morning off for a facial and slept in. I mean, it’s all about balance—but I would never say no to something because of the day of the week it fell on. Time is of the essence!
Maybe your weakness is sleeping in (like me!) Maybe your weakness is food or booze or laziness or TV. Whatever it is, be humble, sit down (or get up, I guess) and OWN IT.
I have a friend that told another friend that she thought I was “intense” when she met me. I wonder why? *laughs secretly behind curtain*
I’m intense because I mean it.
I’m intense because I believe in it.
BUT I’m NOT intense because I “know it all”. (**Remember the theme, yeah? Humility!)
Moral of the story is whoever you are, whatever you’re searching for… get your mind straight.Sit down, be humble, and put in the grunt work. Then, You should, by my humble calculations… make some progress.
Okay, my fingers hurt. Time for bed.
xo
Chelsea
