You Don't Have to Be Just One Thing

AND.

It's a word I've been thinking a lot about lately.

Like most of my deep thoughts (and wild ideas), this particular reflection?came to me while?covered in sweat, climbing that never-ending (yet invisible) hill?on my Peloton last week.

One of my favorite instructors, Robyn Arzon hit me with this simple yet profound idea:?"Remember crew, you don't have to be just one thing!"

Almost immediately, a?huge smile covered my face and I thought - heck yes, Robyn. You nailed it again.?

Here's why the smile...

Like many of you, I am intentional?in making time for connection and networking.? But after the traditional exchange of "So, tell me about yourself," I am?often struck by people's curiosity about how I?introduce myself.?

They mostly wonder how I got to a place of being so open (some even say BRAVE) in sharing who I am, what I'm passionate about and what's most important to me.?

Ultimately, they are curious why I am so intentional?about introducing myself using the (maybe) less conventional titles of?being a "Proud Mama & Wife" AND a?"BELIEVER" AND a "Connector of People" vs. what I do for work.

Here's my answer...

I am more than just my professional title.??

And while I absolutely love what I do for a living, my work doesn't define who I am.??It's just one part of who I am and what makes me special.

I don't say this in an egotistical way but rather to remind you as well...

You are so much more than your professional title.

Here's how I got here...

Years ago, I sat in a personal branding session and was challenged by the moderator to think about the three or four words that I wanted people to associate with me (or my name).?Not necessarily what I do, but rather who I am, what I stand for, what I care about most or what gives me the most energy.?

She encouraged us to think about all of the things that make us who we are and might inform how we walk through life. Ultimately, she suggested we be more bold in sharing the things that might help us connect faster or make our existing connections even stronger.

And that was it.?

She had my attention.??

I started to think.?

I thought hard about what else I was.?

Who else I was.?

What I realized is that even though my professional title was an Account Executive, who I am (in total) and the journey I've been on is so much more.

I am a busy parent of two incredible kids, trying to juggle all-the-things (failing fast and learning every day).

AND

I am married to the guy I met when I was 17, he's the love of my life and he challenges?and inspires me daily.

AND?

I am obsessed with my two Golden Retrievers, Captain and Jewels.

AND?

I am passionate?Believer and my faith guides me every step of the way. (Philippians 4:13, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 46:10).

AND?

I have a close connection to cancer (we fought and won!). I am happy to be a resource to anyone who is navigating a similar journey and honored to support Angel Foundation ?and their incredible mission to help local adults who are in active cancer treatment.

AND, AND, AND...

From that day forward, I started to (very intentionally) share more than just what I do but also who I am.???

Here's what I learned...

Very quickly, I found the faster I shared my?AND/s- the more relatable I was.?Sure it felt vulnerable at times, but by sharing the things that made me who I am - not just what I do for a living, I started to create a safer place for others to feel comfortable sharing their AND too.?

Surprisingly (at first), but the AND seemed to spark the most meaningful conversation, we began to like and trust each other faster,?AND that's when the real magic started to happen.??

More meaningful connections.?

More connections introducing me to new?people that had similar?AND/s.

More targeted and thoughtful follow up and next steps together.

Now what...

For me, true connection is one of life's?greatest gifts.?

When I think of the people I've met (even just over the last year or two), I get emotional thinking about my life without them in it.

Just a short time ago, they were strangers and I'd consider most of them close friends.

Come on. That's incredible.

I often wonder what experiences, laughter and connection I would've missed out on had I not shared more than just my title.

So I say let's start honoring the?AND.

Remember, it's the?AND?in our lives that makes us who we really are. Our AND is what informs our unique?perspective on the world and?what truly connects us as humans.

So take some time and think about your?AND, be grateful for your?AND?and perhaps, maybe even start introducing yourself with your own unique and personal?AND?in mind.???

AND watch the MAGIC happen from there.