Mia Nedd

I attribute my success to people that believed in me and took the time to hear me out or give me an opportunity to shine. Sometimes you don't even know what you're capable of, and it's someone else that sees a light in you. And they point you in a direction, and the next thing you know, you've arrived upon greatness. You didn't know it was in you. It's so important to have those people around you that see good in you, that lift you up, that support you, and hold you to that next level of excellence. And people that provide a safe space for you. When you turn around and lift other people up as well, that's huge.

I use this analogy when I talk to people that have doubts about themselves. When you look at plants, we take the plant out of the pot and put it in a bigger pot. Oftentimes, that plant looks kind of small in that huge pot when you move it. But you put it in that pot so that the plant can grow. We don't leave the plant in the small pot, because it will not grow beyond the capacity that the pot has for the roots. So if you're looking for a job, or looking to change careers, or whatever it is, and you're measuring yourself against the pot that you're going to, you should not be the size of that pot. That pot should have room for you to grow. And if it doesn't, you're thinking too small. People close the door on themselves all the time. Knock on that door and see if somebody opens. And if not, knock on the back door. Sometimes you are afraid to take the leap, afraid to knock on a door, and you're guarding yourself. If you're in a hallway and there's the door that you're at now and the door in front of you where you want to go, a lot of times people will take that first step, but you leave your foot in the door behind you just to keep it open. Sometimes when you have your foot in that door back there, you cannot reach the door in front of you to knock on it because you're too busy holding the door open in the back for safety. You have to put that foot down and take that extra step forward so you can knock on that next door. Let the door behind you close so that you can knock on the next door. You can't open them both at the same time.

Integrity is number one. Own your mistakes. If you make a mistake, it's okay. Everybody makes mistakes. It's absolutely fine. Own them and be transparent about them, because it makes you more human. I also have a commitment to my pursuit of excellence. Not perfection, but excellence. If I'm not gonna come with my all, then why am I showing up? And remembering that people remember how you make them feel, not what you said, not what you did, but how you make them feel. Make people feel safe, seen, and heard. Encourage them, grow them, because there is no reward or recognition for yourself that outweighs watching someone blossom because you planted a seed in them.