Each and every one of us is faced with decisions and challenges daily. It’s up to us to decide if we want to choose the ‘Road Less Taken’ or settle for mediocrity. I’ve come this far by choosing the road less traveled, thinking ‘out of the box’ and always seeking out new opportunities and challenges. I suspect it may be due to my Sagittarianism, since I am always actively on the lookout for new and different things. I’ve learned through the years not to settle for mediocrity and most importantly, not to be afraid or scared of challenges.
Many of you know that I met my husband through an online service. It’s a scary thought to many people to actually meet someone online, not knowing where they’re coming from or what their intentions are and whether they are being honest with you. It was a journey that I decided to undertake with utmost caution and hope for a happier, more fulfilling tomorrow. Guess what? It worked.
Another example of not being scared, was my decision to ‘break the cord’ with Corporate America, venturing out on my own and launching my Bookkeeping and Virtual Assistant business. I always had a sense of financial security and comfort working for large companies. I quickly settled into this environment, because I was safe. I always felt that I had so much more to offer and no matter how much I tried to ‘climb the ladder’ or how hard I worked, I always found myself back in the same place. After twenty years, I decided to make a change, go back to school and find a career that was fulfilling to me. Granted, I was petrified of leaving my comfort zone and venturing out, without anyone holding my hand. In retrospect, I should have made that decision 19 years ago – but I was scared.
Meeting new clients at their location is always an unknown. Many times you worry that there is not going to be that initial chemistry or spark. You might even start to ponder whether you are equipped to take on this client’s project or answer their questions. There are many other unknowns: pricing; scope of work; personality traits; timeframe of project, etc. However, you can’t let fear take the best of you. My best advice is to walk in with your chin up, listen carefully to what the client has to say, always make eye contact and exude confidence. Once the initial meeting has taken place, you will feel more at ease knowing what is to be expected of you and what the task entails. The unknowns will slowly begin to melt away and then it is your time to shine.
The only way to move forward, be happier and accomplish your goals is not to be scared of trying new things. Hesitation, procrastination and fear will hold you back, and I don’t want to you to be held back. There is so much out there to learn and experience! Try a different dish at a restaurant, jump into a conversation at a social function, learn how to swim, ask someone to join you for lunch, say ‘hello’ to the person next to you at the supermarket. Don’t be scared…
Cecilia Parish
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Professional Bookkeeping & Business Services
‘Profit Through Organization’
Phone: 1-610-295-0245
Fax: 1-484-335-4410
e-mail: cecilia@professional-business-services.com
website: www.professional-business-services.com
Professional Network: www.linkedin.com
