Jocelyn Cinfo

I would attribute it to myself. I've got 6 siblings, I'm the first to graduate high school, and there was nobody pushing me to do that. I wanted that for myself, and nobody was pushing me to go to college. I did that for myself. I could have dropped out at any point, but that's not what I wanted for myself. I constantly want better for myself, and I put a lot of pressure on myself, and that doesn't come from anybody else. I started at a very early age pushing myself, motivating and driving myself. I've always been the youngest in any role that I'm in, and I learned early on that the only limitations that you have in your life are the ones that you put on yourself.

I've received several pieces of advice that have really stuck with me. One of my first managers, who was also always the youngest in her roles, told me that the only limitations that you have in your life are the ones that you put on yourself. To never put those self-limiting beliefs on yourself, and if you believe in yourself to do it, then you can do it. If you put your mind to it, you can do it. If you want it, you can get it. I've definitely found that to be true. Another piece came from one of my professors in college who said, you just need to show up. Some days that is your best, that's your 100%. If you just show up, you're doing a whole lot more than some other people are doing. Just show up, listen, absorb it, and show it better the next day. This has had a huge impact in people's lives, as well, just within your own personal life too. If you just show up and show those people that you value them, or for work you value the goals that you're all collectively going after, that is the most important thing. And one more that's been close to me, probably from one of my teachers, is if you're scared, just do it scared. I love to public speak now, but I haven't always. Nobody will know if you don't let them know.

I would say it might not be what you're expecting all of the time. And I think that goes for everything in life, too, but it might not be what you're expecting all of the time, but any opportunity that you're placed in is going to be a learning opportunity for you, so long as you open yourself up to it. Even if it's something you're not expecting, you're maybe unsure about it, I think that sticking with something and letting it be a learning experience, no matter what it is, is the most important thing. Every day is going to be different, and so being an adaptable person is very important.

I really don't try to see any challenges. I really think any setback is an opportunity for you to try again. I've always said that as I was interviewing for different jobs, I almost get excited with every rejection, because it means that I'm one step closer to getting a yes. It's really hard for me to put my finger on any type of challenge. I think it can just get really busy some days, but any challenge, I just see as such a great opportunity to try again, try it a different way. It's an opportunity for growth, so I don't look at it pessimistically, definitely.

I really value communication. That's huge to me. It doesn't matter what it is that you're communicating, just as long as I know what's going on, so that I can know if you want me to be there for you, if you don't want me to be there for you. So communication is very big in all aspects of my personal and professional life. And also, consideration for what other people could be going through. A bad day is rarely ever reflective of you and your presence. If somebody's having a bad day, it's rarely ever reflective of you and your presence. And so, learning to not take those things personally, and consider what other people could be going through. Everybody needs a lot more of that.