Michelle Keib

Unwarranted confidence. I mean it! Even when there is no evidence to support it, I am always confident that I can succeed in an endeavor. When someone asks you to take on a special project or you need to really stretch to fit into a new role, go for it. You will amaze yourself at what you are capable of when you need to be. You will figure it out. If you don't stretch into say "yes" whenever you are asked to expand into new opportunities, you will not watch yourself soar. There were many, many times that I was able to leap into new industries and new roles that were a huge stretch. I always believed that I could do them, and I did.

The other thing that I am a huge believer in is baby steps. We rarely have the time or capacity to complete the steps needed to reach our goals. But we do have the time to do one thing every day. Maybe it's a small thing. Maybe its just one phone call, or one class. That's ok. You can get there. I started college at night when I turned 30 years old. I graduated when I was 45. One of my sons graduated from college before I did. But I got there! It became my routine to paint from 6 am to 8 am every day before I started my work days. I did that for years and years. Now I actually am an artist, and all day is spent on the creation and promotion of my art. If it weren't for those baby steps and so many other examples, I wouldn't have been able to have so many plates spinning at the same time. I was a busy Mom, full-time professional, volunteered on community boards, started my own business, and went to school at night, all at the same time. There is huge strength in taking little steps relentlessly over time that makes all the difference. I didn't stop. I might have cried once in a while, but I kept going.

My Mother told me that you will be amazed at what you can do if you have to.