Embracing My Uniqueness: Finding My Path Forward

Throughout my life, I felt like I didn’t quite fit in, no matter where I was. Whether it was within my family, at school or at work, I always seemed to fall into the gaps between conventional labels.

In my family, I was the “fat kid,” at school, I want to say I was a nerd, but it was worse than that…my friend Ginger and I spent more time with the teachers than we did with our peers…so, I’ll say teacher’s pet – which doesn’t make you popular with your classmates. Later, in my professional career, I found myself in limbo.

I spent 10 years on Wall Street, in a back-office job, but I think that was the last time I felt like I truly belonged. I was in a management position, although very low on the totem pole, but I was exceptional at what I did. I could have taken that much further…but a personal tragedy (one of my very good friends was murdered) caused me to shake up my life. I exited Wall Street.

I had always loved the idea of being an assistant…I’m a “helper” through and through. So, I went that route…but I always sought to do more, be more than what was on my job description…so I ended up being promoted out of the support roles within a very short period of time…I don’t think I ever spent a full year as an “admin.”

It wasn’t until I landed in a C-Suite Executive Assistant role that I thought I had found my niche…C-Suite EAs are allowed to be “extra.” It’s required of us, because our Executives are. They needed to be to get where they are. No two days are the same. One day you’re cleaning bird shit off the conference room chairs (don’t ask!) and the next day you’re flying on the company jet. One day you’re picking up the dry cleaning and the next week, you’re off to Shanghai, for a week long conference that you put together single-handedly.

As you sit at that conference table, even though you are as capable as anyone sitting next to you – you know that your main task is making sure the lunch is served on time. Don’t get me wrong – I love every single aspect of the job…I just want more. I can do more. I was meant for more. So, even in this niche where I fit – I still don’t belong.

As I move forward, I want to surround myself with people who appreciate the authentic me. Maybe that means striking out on my own, where I am not bound solely by a job description…it’s definitely something I am exploring right now.

To those that have felt that you don’t belong, you are not alone. Our journey is our own, and we get to define our destination. Embrace your uniqueness, find your passions and remember that your worth is not defined by other’s expectations.

Here’s to a future filled with self-discovery, growth and belonging…on your own terms.

#embraceyouruniqueness#findyourpath#authenticity#gohappyyourself