How I Turned Pain to Gain

Welcome to my piece of the Internet pie, my cyber real estate, one of the digital places where I share, teach and empower. Once upon a time, my diverse experience was frowned upon at job interviews. Infact, at a job interview for a high paying position in a top financial firm in New York City, the hiring manager said to me:

“How come your skills are so diverse? How do you merge law with information technology? Oh, you are a jack of all trades?”

I looked at her and really wanted to tell her where to go but I needed the job. Apparently, it was the multi-national and diverse work experience that attracted her to extend an interview invitation. However, she had her doubts because she couldn’t fathom that it was possible to operate in different capacities and simultaneously excel at them.

For many years, I downplayed what I had worked hard to achieve because I had heard from many sources that it was better to choose one thing and stick with it.

What did I do?

In the information technology sector, I did not show my legal knowledge and experience. In the legal sector, I did not use my tech experience or knowledge. At work, I didn’t talk much about my faith. I didn’t want people to feel they needed to be holy or start to act religious around me. I am human with faults saved by grace.

I was in a weird situation. I conformed to seasonal circumstances and didn’t want my colleagues to think I knew too much. It seemed like I was two people.

My pain was that I needed to be the whole me – the professional woman, wife, mom, operating in her purpose including tech, law and being a Christian. I needed to figure out how to use all my gifts, talents without placing any on the back burner and manage my time too. I said to myself: “one day, one day.”

It happened at a position I was overjoyed at securing especially after many job applications, several “you-are-too-qualified-for-this-position” interviews, recruiters dodging my phone calls and not responding to my emails.

It was a job in a very popular high flying corporation which seemed like the best thing since sliced bread. My husband I were over the moon.

Finally, I was back in my elements enjoying the New York City life. It meant we could work towards building our legacy and making great impact. We were ecstatic.

To cut the story short, one day, I walked into my new and fantastic job and without any warning, I was informed that the contract with the company had ended.

No reason. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I said to myself: “It’s time to fully walk in my calling. I’m going to use everything I have learned and know how to do to help people do the same. Get ready world!”

Life has taught me to use every experience as a lesson and as I decipher the purpose, to help others in the journey. In my situation, although I had already started using my gifts and talents but it was not in full operational mode.

I knew that for me to thrive in my own zone of brilliance, I needed to be bold. People were already seeking help from me anyway for different personal, business and spiritual reasons, so there was no reason to hold back.

I already had an audience.

I became determined to use everything I know how to do [law, technology, faith] to bring solutions for people and release them from whichever type of dungeon they are in.

As soon as I made the decision to be me no matter what and earn a living from it, things shifted. I began to release the power within me to change lives.

That’s just a snippet of my back story. However, I shared it for you to know that no matter where life has placed you, there is always a way out.

If you have been laid off or things are not going the way you expect, do not worry about anything. Every problem has a solution.

If there are stumbling blocks in your path, instead of having pity-parties, use those annoying blocks to lay the foundation of what you are building. You cannot remain stagnant. You must keep moving.

In my own reflective mode, I finally realized that there is nothing wrong with having multiple gifts and talents. It is a blessing indeed to be able to carry out multiple tasks and do them well. Besides, if managed properly, you can create positive ripple effects with multiple streams of income.

Besides, it is an asset to the corporation you work for! I even spoke about this at a leadership summit in London “How to Embrace Authenticity in the Workplace” and why leaders and managers should encourage their teams to be authentic.

I even came across the word: polymath. I was glad when I discovered that Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, Maya Angelou were skilled in diverse things and boldly walked in them. I did a praise dance! They were themselves.

Polymathēs in Greek means “having learned much.” Leonardo Da Vinci was a polymath because he was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer.

I could go on about my back story [and there’s more] but you can read the rest in my books. Click here.

If you have been downgrading your gifts and talents, end it today. The problem with hiding your gifted glow is that you blur your authenticity. It is an action that prevents genuine destiny helpers [those who believe in you and appreciate you] from entering your world.