To achieve bigger things in life, we must first begin with the smallest details.
A quote that I hold true for the past thirteen years.
With limited experience back then, I traded lateral salary in return for a genuine mentorship. “I am willing to learn because I have zero knowledge in this field.” Despite two fresh years of work experiences earned earlier under my belt, I claimed I had nothing but just basic certificate and pure mind to learn from the very bottom.
She was tall, professionally well-dressed and beautiful. Remarkably inspiring especially with her charismatic personality, social grace, and eloquent way of speaking, I admire her since the day we met. She was my mentor.
It was never easy since the beginning, mostly due to her high expectation towards all her downline. Her stern glare when I made stupid mistakes and her sharp gaze when I was not attentive enough pumped my heartbeat rapidly whenever communicating with her in person. So much like Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada film.
On the flip side, I learned quickly mostly due to fear. Highly intimidating, I had fear out of how she would perceive me as a person, as an employee and among other employees. I was determined to excel, please her, and prove that it was no mistake for hiring me. I researched, deep dived and rehearsed my work to the very detail in ensuring no regrets for any mistakes.
She made me think alongside guided me via the long hard way. I failed multiple times, learned my lessons, and came back for more. Overtime, fear was no longer fear.
“I find it best to dive right in and learn the hard way” – Pete Cashmore
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A successful woman today, she taught me discipline, diligence, agility, detailed yet seeing the big picture, and being persistent in learning despite failures. Learning from inside out – starting from the smallest details strengthens understanding power that eventually contributes to bigger success in life.
Photo by Simone Hutsch
Thank you for your constructive comment, I hope you enjoy reading my write up. Fear can work both ways, we either win it over or let it overcome us.
Very well put! The small things ultimately build the big things. And thanks for that quote: ““I find it best to dive right in and learn the hard way”. I agree with it, but hadn’t heard it before. You’re mentioning of fear is also interesting. We can either let it hamper us, or else use it as leverage like you did: Meaning, you used the fear for something constructive, until it faded away.