Rise Up!

December 14, 2017

During my Personal Branding workshops, I often talk about some of the challenges I faced as a left-handed person growing up in a right-handed world. When I was in grade school, I learned how to twirl a baton with my left hand, and I became very good at it. However, once we decided to create a community marching band (Shout out to the Oaklanders!), I was told that I had to learn how to twirl the baton with my right hand. After all, everyone else was right-handed, and it wouldn’t work if I was the only one using the opposite hand.

So, I was faced with a dilemma—either “take my baton and go home” or “rise up.” Luckily, I decided to do the latter, and it has become an anchor in facing many challenges over the years. I admit it was initially tough to learn to twirl the baton with my right hand. It felt awkward and unnatural at best. I also resented the fact that I was forced to change the way I twirled to fit societal norms. However, day after day, I practiced and practiced, and it eventually became much easier. I eventually became one of the best twirlers and was chosen as one of the head majorettes in the marching band. As of today, it is the only thing I can do well with my right hand.

At work, we are often faced with difficult obstacles. However, instead of letting these obstacles paralyze us, why not see them as an opportunity. For instance, one of my mentees received unfavorable feedback on her job performance during a one-on-one meeting with her team leader. After she settled down from her emotional rollercoaster, we discussed the feedback.
“Were you surprised by the feedback?” I probed.
“Yes, and No,” she responded. “I guess it was difficult to hear, so I took the afternoon off.”

During the conversation, she admitted that she needed to work on many of the things her team leader told her. I coached her to really focus on what he was asking her to do instead of being a victim. In other words, she needed to rise up to the challenge and begin delivering instead of lamenting about how life is so unfair.

We have all received negative feedback at one time or another. I certainly have. I distinctly remember my first professional job review when I was told that I needed to strengthen my written communications skills if I wanted to have long term success in the communications field. I realized that writing was a base skill and I needed to excel in it. So, I rose to the challenge by enrolling in several writing courses at Duquesne University.

So, the next time someone says you can’t do something, why not prove them wrong and rise to the occasion. Show them that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Don’t run from challenges; embrace them.
It reminds me of a speech given by tennis champion Serena Williams as she accepted the 2015 Sportsperson of the Year. She said that despite all the challenges she faced throughout her tennis career; she chose to rise up. She also recited Maya Angelou’s famous poem, “Still I Rise.”

So the next time you are feeling defeated, don’t retreat, RISE UP!
“Still I Rise”

The words to the abbreviated version of the Angelou poem are:
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.