Shaping Success

If you are just starting to build your career, here is my one advice: Put yourself out there.

Give yourself the courage to reach out to people and show your involvement in things. My first habit was sending quick messages to friends; to thank them, to check in on them, to see if we could meet if I’m passing in their city. Even if it was with brief acquaintances, people like being thought of, and the outreach is appreciated. When I started applying this to business, the results took on a whole new scale.

My father was the greatest enabler for me, bringing me to his meetings, introducing me to his network with remarkable ease. I got used to showing up to these events with him, pitching projects and making small talk, and gradually, I could do it alone. He placed me so that I could put myself out there, but it was the result of an inner conflict (I’d get paralyzed by social anxiety nearing the event), that I’d eventually turn off any worries I had and take the first step towards others.

Not every person is interesting, not everybody is worth your time, but as a young woman, I hoped that people would be kind and forgiving, at least on the surface - they usually were. I practiced conversation, educated myself on topics, and showed my interest in learning from others. Online and in-person, I strove - and am still working on this - to build a “personal brand” that could be recognisable and liked.

Being charming, extroverted and well informed are all the qualities of a good salesperson, and I put effort into these by putting myself into the world. Keeping my head high, I know that only presence is not enough, but active participation is rewarded. People have shown support for me, encouraged me to reach out to them, offered connections, and been the raft carrying me along the treacherous rivers of the professional world.

Youth is the ideal of this universe, and by showing up, being vocal and reciprocating support, you will shape success for yourself and others.