5 Conversations that Influenced Who I Am Today
Me, getting ready for work
Recently I was thinking back on some of the people who have had the biggest impact on me as a person. We are all connected and we all influence each other more than we realize.
So here are a few of the conversations or sayings that have really opened up my mind, changed my perspective, and got me where I am today.
“Have you ever tried making cookies from scratch before?”
The situation: My instructor and I had just finished a grueling day-long Tae Kwon Do competition, and I was famished. I reached for a box of “home made” cookies and we both dug in. She asked me how I made the cookies and I gave her a puzzled look.
I had never made my own cookies from scratch before, I always bought the premade dough. These days I obviously make my food from scratch… all the way from whole mostly raw foods.
“Practice every day, so that you can make your weakest move into one of your best moves.”
I was training for the US National Tae Kwon Do competition, and I was practicing a tough pattern with my instructor. There was one move that was bringing me down.
The simple thought that I could practice this move until it became my best move changed my life.
I was able to stop fretting and start doing, which put me miles ahead of my competition. And more importantly, it showed me that I can do the same in other aspects of my life too.
“Oh, you just got those interviews because they need to fill their female quotas.”
During my first year of University, my female Software Engineer friends and I were discussing how many interviews for internships we got when a professor overheard us.
Instead of giving us any advice on how to ace those interviews, he made us feel like we didn’t deserve them by saying outright that companies had to fill their female interview quotas.
Luckily I didn’t take it personally, I just got even. I practiced a lot and asked for advice from more experienced friends. I aced those interviews and got a great internship right off the bat.
“Mandarin will become one of the most widely spoken languages on the planet.”
My grade 7 math teacher was awesome at teaching math, but he also introduced me to learning Mandarin. At the time I didn’t know the difference between Chinese and Japanese languages, let alone cultures. I was a small town girl with little “real world” experience.
After hearing that Mandarin was the next language to learn, I made it a goal. I already spoke French and English, so Mandarin didn’t seem too crazy.
My goal didn’t manifest right away, but bit by bit situations in my life arranged themselves for it to happen. In University I was able to take Mandarin classes, and in 2008 I traveled to China for 4 months with my boyfriend Robin.
“Are you sure you want to eat that?”
This question will probably haunt me (and possibly you too) for a long time.
As some of you know, I used to eat a 100% junk food diet… lots of processed stuff, tons of soda, candy and sugar like you wouldn’t believe. I ate cookies for breakfast. (Do you notice a theme with cookies yet?)
Well my Tae Kwon Do teacher couldn’t believe I was going to compete by fueling myself with nothing but fake food. At the time I didn’t get it. Now, I’m on board with the lesson… and I’m sharing it with you.
What conversations affected you the most?
We all have events and conversations that shape who we are as people today, share yours in the comments below!
Remember that no matter what, your actions and words do have an influence on others, so don’t be shy!
