We here at Career Girl Network don’t generally post advice from the male persuasion. But this was too good not to share.
Last night, while catching up on “The Apprentice”, one of the contestants won a meeting with famed hotel developer (often called the King of Hotels) Barry Sternlicht, the founder of Starwood Properties. And Mr. Sternlicht said something that made me sit straight up in my seat and smile.
Talk about a breakthrough moment, an a-ha statement. And it goes back to my own personal mantra, one that came from my father. I may not be the prettiest, I may not be the smartest, but damnit, I will always be the hardest working. Maybe hard work isn’t the key, though. Maybe perseverance is. I don’t have to be a natural genius to succeed, I don’t have to be the smartest one in the room. I simple have to persevere, always. And that, my friends, I know I can do.
I’ll take Mr. Sternlicht’s words with me as I journey through my career. I will persevere…and hopefully someone will think I’m a genius.
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
GREAT quote. I love this quote, and I think it's so important to note the difference between hard work and perseverence. I think hard work is only one small bit of perseverence.
BEST OF LUCK with the move! I can't imagine all of Chicago isn't just waiting for you, fighting over who gets to hire you first.