All Your Credits Transfer

This is funny. I just realized that I've been thinking about writing this post for the last 2-3 years. And I haven't done it because of some version of self-doubt manifesting as "who am I to write it and who would want to read it?" But here it is (and chime in once you've discovered the irony of my apprehension).

"All your credits transfer." I say it all the time. To myself, to anyone who will listen. If you know me well, you've likely heard it.

It's a metaphor from higher education that those of you who've switched universities or areas of focus might be familiar with. Credits from one subject or school sometimes transfer to another--meaning you're not starting over. But it extends to life, work, relationships and beyond and if you look back, you'll find meaning in all of it. Everything you've done. Every position you've held, every conversation you've had and every win or loss you've taken on. It's all valuable. Those credits all add up.

And when it comes to starting something new, or if you're hesitant to take some kind of leap ahead of you, please remember: All your credits transfer. You're never starting from scratch. You carry a truly incomparable value, because no one else has lived your life--you are the only you. Own that.

For me, waiting tables for 5 years taught me how to serve. And I mean how to be a joyful servant, not just how to carry a tray full of a dozen 16oz IPAs up the stairs to the rowdy balcony section of the restaurant (RIP BJ's Westwood). It taught me how to make a connection. It taught me how to establish rapport with guests almost instantly, how to think on my feet and that most times people are really only upset right up until they've eaten. Also, when memorizing an order for a party larger than 8 people, I learned how to identify the Type A person who was freaking out because I wasn't writing anything down--which fueled me to get it right, but also made me realize I could spare them the stress by taking out a pen. Mostly, it taught me how to treat people right in any service industry...a lesson I value every day (ask any server and they'll tell you that waiting tables should be a mandatory year-long stint for EVERYONE).

When I worked in sales / customer service at a flagship cell phone store in Beverly Hills, I learned so much--mostly about me--and I eventually made a life-altering shift. I went from being the smartass employee who felt it was his job to put arrogant, demanding and entitled people in their place to becoming someone who was more interested in finding the place they were coming from. Sometimes we humans appear to be at our worst when we're actually just at our most frightened. And it's a scary thing to think you've lost everything by dropping your phone in the toilet. I also learned that the right time to tell someone you've dropped your phone in the toilet is before you hand it to them--thank you very much!

I learned about management. Both the good: how to get the most out of employees like me and the bad: how to alienate employees and drive them further away from the company's mission. I even learned a little about technology and would not have gone on to develop two mobile game apps if it weren't for my experience there. I even learned that I could write a book! ...and that some books are only meant for their author's edification.

Playing music in bands taught me group dynamics, the importance of a strong leader and that, while I hate getting on stage, I really like being on stage.

Being a TV development executive taught me to "never half-ass the epiphany" (a post all its own) and that good ideas can come from anywhere, if you're willing to look outside to find them.

Starting and owning a company has taught me--well, you know damn well those lessons won't all fit here.

The point is this: Looking back through all my experiences (and these are just the professional ones), I can mold them all into being useful. The past is malleable if you want to make the most of it. You don't have to love everything you've done, but if you focus on the good, with gratitude and curiosity (what a combo!), you will find that you have a ton of credits that you've earned over your life, no matter what. I promise you that you have credits built up and that we can all learn from your experiences. I promise you that you have value to share--that you bring something completely different to that open position than any other candidate. I promise you that all your credits transfer, if you will let them.

And now, with an elevated pulse and so much love in my heart for all of you, I press this button and pass along a few hopefully useful credits to you.

-j