Inject Some of You!

Let me tell you a story, I work in higher education as an administrator in a school of architecture.  When I first got the job, I was young and fairly inexperienced.  My predecessor was much older and I worried the people I supervised wouldn't take me seriously if I dropped my detached, business facade.  It took meeting my husband to understand that I could be me and not only keep their respect but maybe even gain their trust. All I had to do was allow myself to shine.  I could break the stereotype of what I thought the position called for and actually tailor the position to fit my personality.  Guess what? It worked!  I did it slowly.  I started by revealing little parts of myself, I allowed people to see my vulnerability, my humanity.  I started adding pictures of my family to my office.  I slowly began connecting with my colleagues AND students on a more personal level.  Recently, I had a conversation with a student who has seen my evolution and told me how unapproachable I seemed at first.  She said seeing my shares on social media and creating this blog has helped her see me in a different light and has allowed her to open up to me on another level.  This change has helped me too, its created a real opportunity to truly engage and have a positive impact in my students lives which enriches my overall professional experience.  Why am I telling you this? I am the sum of my parts.  I can be professional AND be creative.  I can be serious AND be as giddy as a school girl( I prefer the latter😛).  I can love fashion AND still have depth.  Why choose, when I can be all of it?  Revealing parts of yourself and being vulnerable to possible rejection is about the most powerful thing you can do.  There is great strength in openness.  "Free your mind and the rest will follow." 

PS you can shop this look in my new Shop My Instagram tab!  I nearly pulled out all of my hair to get it right but I am getting SO good at this whole blogging thing.  

If you need help setting this up, holla at your girl.  I want all of us to succeed. 💋 Oh and don't forget to subscribe!  

Thanks for the read! XOXO

by LifeStyledbyErica