Do it Scared, Do it Anyway
I am more comfortable with the idea of failure than I am with regret.
Melissa Butler, Founder & CEO of The Lip Bar via How I built this with Guy Raz
2020 has been a year full of many lows and little highs. It has been a year of personal and professional change for many, deep thinking, conquering challenges, and creating opportunities. Most of all, 2020 has been a reminder that life is not promised. We are only here for a short blip.
This year I thought less about failure as a potential outcome and more about thriving and pushing forward. Some days were painful because I realized that I was holding on to what could have been instead of what could be. I over analyzed my risk tolerance, questioned my feelings, and doubted my decisions, but something happened along the way; I decided to do it scared.
"What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?"
― Erin Hanson
My year of flight
I quit my job at Microsoft and started a new remote adventure as a Senior Security Product Manager at a thriving FinTech company based in Oakland, CA.
Despite my zero desire to be on camera, I co-hosted/participated in and facilitated many infosec, tech-related Zoom talks, panels, and the like.
I co-launched the Podcast I wish I had when I was starting my career in Tech & InfoSec. One that would demystify all the hoopla and open the gates rather than keep them closed. We've just wrapped Season 1, and I am proud to say that we grew our Podcast to over 1200 downloads while staying true to the mission and message in this short time.
ALL while being a mom, grad student, and dealing with my fears, insecurities, loneliness, sadness, and other challenges. We are only here for a short blip, remember?
As I look forward to the future, intention and execution remain part of my guiding principles. The year ahead is less about doing more for the sake of doing and more about doing what makes my heart sing while bringing others along for the ride.
Even if I march to the beat of my drum in the process
Even if my content isn't the most popular, or my Tweets or posts don't go viral?
Even if I don't belong or fit into any one community
