There I was on a Sunday afternoon when I decided I’d just do it.

I’d been out of the workforce for a few years to care for our infant daughter and I decided it was time for me to go back to work fulltime. We had moved to a new town and I had made a few connections but had no job prospects. I came across a job posting for a marketing position with a large manufacturer. I met most of their requirements but I hesitated to apply because I kept thinking to myself, I can’t sell that, it’s guy stuff.  Finally, after seeing the post for several weeks I decided to apply. 

It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career.  Little did I know how much I would grow by stepping out of my comfort zone.  

In that job, I held marketing roles with increasing responsibilities on a national basis. I then transitioned into roles with corporate account management responsibilities. As my career has progressed, my earning potential has increased the more I was willing to learn something new and step outside of “my box,” especially as I started roles that required a technical aptitude.  

One of the guiding principles I’ve applied is to guard my thinking. A proverb found in the Bible actually states that, “As a man thinks, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). 

As a Hispanic female, I know first-hand how intimidating it can be to enter male-dominated industries. In order to succeed I had to silence my internal negative thoughts that limited me.  I had to see myself interacting with different customers and winning new accounts. I began to think that I could sell industrial products. Instead of finding all the reasons that I wouldn’t succeed, I shifted my focus to learning about the industries, finding experts who could help me sharpen my skills and making connections with others succeeding in their fields. 

How many times have you talked yourself out of pursing a new opportunity? Please don’t limit yourself by thinking: I don’t have everything they are looking for on a job posting. Most skills can be learned if you have the right attitude.  

You might be surprised at how fun it can be selling stuff like roofing materials, landfill liners, industrial flooring, power tools, industrial lubricants, and steel.  

Even if it’s different, even if it seems like a stretch…Go for it! Chances are you won’t regret it. 

What did you almost shy away from that ended up being a valuable career move or experience after all? I’d love to hear it in the comment section below.