Never Undervalue Yourself

I’ve always enjoyed talking to people. The actual endeavor of approaching people has honestly never been something that scares me. This week, surrounded by the people in these agencies, for the first time in a long time I was finding myself becoming intimidated. It’s an odd thing, to go from an environment of people you see everyday, know who you are and create an environment for you in which you feel as though you can undeniably be yourself all the way to a place where you are suddenly realizing no one in the room knows you and what you’re capable of. Just like the expression, “rip off the bandaid,” in these situations where you start to let fear of failure or fear of rejection start to creep up to you, you have to remind yourself of one simple truth: we are all human. That person you look up to who’s out in the “real world” and making cool shit was likely in the exact same position you are and felt the same hurdle of intimidation to someone they idolized. However, all it takes is a firm hand shake, the confidence in yourself to know that the things you’re thinking and speaking have validity and importance, and a humble ora to follow that you are always going to be transparently yourself no matter the topic of conversation. Just because you are “younger” doesn’t make your ideas any lesser, and just because you’re still figuring things out doesn’t mean your lost. In fact, putting yourself in conversations that challenge you to be vulnerable is only going to lead you closer and closer towards the thing you are continuing to strive for: your purpose. Never undervalue yourself because what you have to offer an company is just as important as what the company has to offer you. The next time you’re intimidated to approach a person or situation, remind yourself that there is only one person holding you back from the possible opportunities ahead, and that’s yourself.  

-Emily Pearson