How did you get to where you are today?
When we’re talking about careers, we are often encouraged to view success at the top of a ladder — always aiming higher in what is essentially a straight line. But a few years ago, during a business gathering, instead of a ladder, someone used the example of scaffolding to illustrate the way some career trajectories play out. That image resonated with me because, when it comes to my career, I have twisted and turned, stood still at times, and then gone backwards to move forward.
Even when it was uncomfortable — sometimes brutally! — I’ve never been afraid to step into the unknown and take a position that I might not feel fully qualified for or study for another degree or work to acquire a new skill or make a phone call to network with someone I’d like to know.
Honestly, what is the worst thing that can happen if you step out in support of yourself and your passions? Failure? Rejection? Yes! And that’s what often stops us from following a path we really want to explore. No one WANTS to fail, but for the record, I have failed many, many (many!) times. I can assure you that most of my biggest and (and most public) failures have taught me great lessons and made me even better — personally and professionally.
In some cases, they’ve even landed me some awesome gigs that I never would have landed if I hadn’t taken a chance on something that gave me a new skill or challenge.
Continue reading “Catching up with … Andrea Griffith-Girtz”