It’s been a super busy week at work with activities, getting new clubs started, classes going on, you name it. I’m starting to settle into a bit more of a routine, but it’s taking a little longer than last year – which is a good thing! I like being busy. Anyway, there’s one thing that kind of stuck out to me this week that I’ve been thinking about a lot. We had a social gathering on Thursday for our Student Voice group on campus so they could get together and start getting to know each other. I had them all go around the room, introduce themselves and tell the group one interesting fact about themselves. There were SO many people in the group who would say: “I don’t know, I’m boring” or “There’s really nothing interesting about me” or something along those lines.

There was one girl in particular, who when we got to her, she said, “I don’t think there’s really anything interesting about me. The most interesting thing I’ve done happened this summer. I went to Florida to fix private jets for really rich people.” She’s in the aviation maintenance program here, if that wasn’t clear haha. But my jaw dropped! I told her that was REALLY cool and that she shouldn’t undersell herself. She was pretty quiet and shy, but she smiled at my comment, and another guy in the group went, “Agreed, that’s awesome!” and you could tell by the look on her face that it made her day.

It really got me thinking though: why do we have a habit of selling ourselves short?? I’m plenty guilty of it, too. Just a few weeks ago, I was talking to a co-worker who had read my book and she said she couldn’t believe she knew a published author. I kind of brushed it off and went, “well, anyone can do it.” She stopped me right there and said, “No, don’t you say that. Not everyone can do it. You did a really good job and you should be proud of that.” And those words came screaming back into my mind when that aviation student said she didn’t do anything interesting.

I think a big reason we tend to sell ourselves short is because we are afraid of coming across as arrogant or braggy. But there’s a clear difference between being arrogant and being proud. If you’ve done something that you’re proud of, no matter how big or small, share it, own it, and talk about it! You’ve earned that right. And don’t let anyone tell you different. Let the haters hate, and just do your thing, because confidence is beautiful.

I know this is a lot easier said than done sometimes, but it’s something to work at for sure. From now on, when I see or hear someone undermining themselves, I’m going to remind them to be proud of what they’ve done, and I hope people continue to do the same for me. We all work to achieve hard things, and we are often our own worst critics. Sometimes it’s okay to need that reassurance! But don’t doubt your own abilities and never say there’s NOTHING interesting about you. We’re all different, and everyone has something unique about them. Sometimes you have to think a little harder about what that something is, but I promise it’s there.

Keep being awesome everyone, and enjoy the nice weekend!

Until next time! 🙂

Megan Reiffenberger