1-2-3 Sundays: Authority, Events & Forced Evolution

Photo by Suzanne D. Williams on Unsplash

1 Theme

Authority

I got the opportunity to return to the University of Strathclyde this week for the Scottish Graduate Fair.

It was a strange feeling being on the other side of the table from where I was a few years ago. This had several advantages:

Empathise with students and where there are on their journey.
Make them feel at ease talking to them.

Initially, there were some nerves but they went away as the day went on. Coincidentally, this was when I showed the most authority.

Not in a dictatorially way but rather with confidence and assertiveness in what I was saying.

This has also been transferable to talking to clients as I learn how to better communicate with them in a coaching role.

Public speaking hasn't always been my strongest asset however it's a skill I'm actively working on. The only way to get better is through practising and exposure to unfamiliar situations. This is how confidence grows.

2 Positive Outcomes

My goal over the last year or so is to utilize social media platforms for what they were originally intended for - improving our lives by allowing us to stay connected.

I bumped into someone at the Grad Fair who I'm already connected with on LinkedIn.

It was nice to be reminded of how social media can actually be used positively rather than for constant consumption.

It should be a tool for connecting with people in the real world rather than the way it has been manipulated to take over our daily lives.

Meeting New People

Following on from the last point, I got the chance to meet new people this weekend at the High Performance Coach Event.

There were lots of other coaches there who I didn't know which meant an opportunity to reach out and talk to new people.

These sorts of events are great for meeting the offline person rather than what's on social media. Having a normal conversation reminds you they're people too.

3 Things I've Learned

The Company Doesn't Matter, Only The Job

When I was a student I too went to grad fairs. I would talk to representatives from the companies I knew for info on their work, what the workplace was and what I could expect to learn. For those I didn't, I inquired with an open mind. This meant I could find out what suited me best.

I got approached by several students who didn't know the company but told my colleague and me about their degrees before asking if we had a job for them.

Listening to the requests, I had to pause and think about how badly some students want/need a job that they don't care what it is they're going to do.

I know exactly how they feel.

My final year was spent applying for jobs and getting frustrated when I kept getting rejections.

Believing in the process is what kept me continuing to apply.

A positive outlook and knowing it was on its way is what kept me going.

Forced Evolution

A lot of us have already experienced this.

Think about starting a new job where you don't know much about the work, the systems or the impact you can make.

You're forced to learn and develop your skills.

Actively putting yourself into these situations is what makes you growth as a person.

The experience is more important than the outcome. Because even if you fail, you always learn something along the way.

Be Where Your Feet Are

One of the speakers at the event this weekend said this during his talk.

The past is set and cannot be done.

The future is often a worry but isn't set in stone.

Sometimes, you have to bring yourself back to where you're feet are.

Have a look around.

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