I can't ever recall being raised to have professional confidence. Or work confidence. But
I've always been raised to BE CONFIDENT. To be one step ahead. Hold my head high, stay true and work hard. But never once did I hear "work smart" until 2-3 years ago after my first year at my first job out of college.
It's been really strange being a black professional because you look back on an amazingly successful day and ask "how the hell did I get here?" The answer for me is hard work and mentorship. For others, those were automatic skill sets they just had. (In my opinion THIS advantage is regardless of race)
I don't blame my immigrant-ness for my lack of professional self-awareness. I don't even blame my parents at all. Because they did above and beyond the best they can to make sure I had the right mental tools and social tools to be professional. (Their monetary contributions are to never be ignored but its the non-fiscal/undocumented offerings that really lead the way.) The day I became a professional is when a mentor told me "A major key to being successful is to work smart"
It was like a bell went off....
And I got it.
To many people, that's just a given. But I'm not going to shy away from naivete or the ignorance I had because it empowered me and still does today. It is the driving force for me seeking mentorship. I didn't ask for mentors, but I just simply asked questions of people that I admired; was just curious about or that I simply knew would know the answer. And really that's all it takes folks!
humility...
self-awareness...
ambition...
honesty.
I seek my self-empowerment.
~Blessed
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