Determination for 2022

After listening to an inspirational kickoff to the #mentormesh program, that I recently joined, I am inspired to share more about myself and how I got to this point in my career. 

I’m not a tall guy, never have been and never will be so my dream of being a professional athlete became null & void at a young age. Early on in life, I was told by other players or coaches, that “I’m not good enough because of being short or whatever” but I just persevered and used that as fuel to prove those people wrong. Heck, I'm still short.

I have kept that mentality throughout my life – I love being the underdog, being under-estimated, being doubted – it is part of my drive to prove that I do in fact belong. 

I started my professional career in sales at a promotional advertising company – I sold pens, koozies, logo items. My peer was someone who had lived in the area her whole life, her family was known in the area – I was told that I needed to take her lead as she was going to be a better sales rep – so I took that as a challenge and used it to work that much harder and ended up being the top rep. 

Fast forward a few years, I started my career with Verizon. I was a Customer/Technical support rep in a call center with Verizon Wireless. After a couple of years, I was ready for the next phase of my career – Sales was my direction. I was told it wasn’t going to be an easy transition – I was a Winner’s Circle winner (over 115% of target) in my first year. After 2009 and having the worst year in my professional career, I was told that I didn’t have the numbers, I was fundamentally sound in customer meetings (except for my shoes needing shining - I received this feedback from a leader a few levels up that is now a joke when we see each other) but didn’t have the skills to be an annual top performer. I took that feedback and started working harder & smarter – utilized a little known or used platform, LinkedIn, to meet more people, decision makers & partners. In 2010, I finished 2nd out of 65 reps but that wasn’t my goal. I set my targets higher and always have strived to be at a level I know I’m capable of. In 2011, I lead the 65 reps and became a President’s Cabinet Winner (Top 1% in the company). I then got promoted to a Strategic Account rep where I took off – I was a 5-time consecutive Rep of the Year. I say this not to brag but to show that hard work, grit, determination pay off.

But that wasn’t the end of my story (sorry, this post is going to continue for a little while longer), I felt that I had achieved a lot in the telecom space and didn’t see area of personal growth, so I set my sight on the Technology Services industry. I wanted to take what I had learned but expand it with Cloud, Data & AI, DevOps, Digital Strategy, Digital Transformation. Once again, I heard a familiar story - I couldn’t make the transition because I was a commodity seller, not a solution seller. I had interview after interview with the same sentiment until I got my shot. I’m now going on my third year – I’ve made company changes and will continue to use the “doubt” that others (leaders, friends, recruiters, etc) had towards my ability to keep rising and proving people wrong.

So for all of you that currently are searching for a job, transitioning to a new career, going back to the workforce, whatever you are striving to do - don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something or that you’re not capable - because you are. If you set your mind to something and roll up your sleeves, add a little grit and determination, it will happen. It’s going to be tough, but the reward is that much better once you achieve it.

I’m nowhere close to where I want to be in my career. I still have a lot that I want to accomplish. I take the doubters’ words and use them to fuel my passion and desire to get where I want to go.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and that this helps you on your journey to reach your goals. I’m happy to speak with anyone who is doubting themselves or just need some encouragement, connect or send me a PM.

Let’s make 2022 your best year yet! To end on a quote from the GOAT (not even a close debate):

“Another day, another opportunity to prove everyone who doubts you wrong.” — Michael Jordan