Rhonda B.

I attribute my success to embracing my quietness as my superpower rather than a weakness. My 8th grade teacher told me that my quietness was my superpower, not my weakness, because when you're quiet, you have the opportunity to listen. That advice encouraged me to become an avid reader, which took me on journeys I didn't even know existed, and from there I became a fluent writer. I learned to write little stories and notes to people, and they would tell me how good it made them feel. I've always been committed to doing well at whatever I was doing, going the extra mile, not because of formal credentials but because I wanted to honor the trust people placed in me. I learned my job, then learned other people's jobs, and ended up being elevated because of that commitment. Throughout my career, whether in real estate, teaching, or photojournalism, I've followed my inner voice and stayed true to my purpose of helping others understand their own strengths and gifts.

The best career advice I ever received was from my 8th grade teacher who told me that my quietness was my superpower, not my weakness. Society has a tendency to convince quiet people that they're shy and that it's a weakness, but she helped me see it differently. She explained that when you're quiet, you have the opportunity to listen, and she encouraged me to read since I wasn't talking or playing around with my peers. She said that reading would take me to whatever journey I didn't even know existed. That advice completely shaped my path - I became an avid reader, which led to becoming a fluent writer, and eventually to my career in storytelling and photojournalism. It taught me that what society might view as a limitation can actually be your greatest strength.

My advice would be to try to get a mentor, someone that's already in the industry, and learn what the new route is. Things are changing, so you need someone who can guide you through the current landscape. Of course, you would go to school to get your formal academic credentials, but then just follow your gut. Listen to that little small voice that speaks to you. The opportunities are there - sometimes they're easy to find, and sometimes you have to seek them out. But trust your inner voice and know that you have a purpose and a gift. Your quietness, your uniqueness, whatever makes you different - that's not a weakness, that's your superpower. Follow your heart's desire and understand that your 'cans are not a cannot' - you can accomplish what you set out to accomplish, you might just have to go about a different route than others.

The most important values to me are helping people understand that everyone has a purpose and a gift that they were sent here with - sometimes it's obvious and sometimes it's untapped, but it's there. I believe in leaving people with the message that they have something they're supposed to be doing on this earth that's supposed to fulfill them and be for the betterment of society and God's children. I value the story that's left untold, which is actually the most beneficial story. I'm passionate about motivating young people to understand their strengths, and helping people see that their 'cans are not a cannot' - we all have different capacities for getting things done, but we can all accomplish what we set out to accomplish and end up at the same destination. I believe in going the extra mile and being committed to doing well at what I'm doing, honoring the trust that people place in me. I value generational connections and making sure that wisdom and reflections from older generations are passed down to help guide younger people.