Just because you’re young, doesn’t mean you’re useless

I’ve always been an old soul. 

When I was young, all I wanted to do was grow up and be professional and have a place in the world. And, so it’s no surprise that I started building my company when I was still in college. Because I wasn’t interested in sitting down with guidance counselors and going to the career fair and waiting for some faceless corporation to tell me I was good enough to be their next employee. 

Instead, I just hired myself and got to work. 

But once I graduated and entered the working world, the only thing people could focus on was my age. I’ll never forget being introduced for one of the first speeches of my career. The conference coordinator said, our speaker doesn’t actually have any credentials, but you’ll be amazed at how young he is. Ouch. 

For the longest time, then, I made the mistake of viewing my youth as a handicap. I assumed nobody would listen, nobody would take me seriously and nobody would pay me any money. And I was right. They didn’t. Because I made it an issue, which gave them permission to make it an issue. 

If only I had realized at the time, just because you’re young, doesn’t mean you’re useless. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. If you reach the point of somebody asking how old you are, you’ve already won. Their inquiry comes from a place of curiosity and admiration and excitement. There might be a dash bitterness and resentment and jealousy peppered in there, but the fact that you’re the youngest person in the room is credibility enough. 

You’ve proven yourself when you get the invitation. 

Now all you have to do is remind people that they made the right decision.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…

Is your age an ally or an enemy?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…

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* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Author. Speaker. Strategist. Inventor. Filmmaker. Publisher. Songwriter.  

[email protected]

www.nametagscott.com

“Scott Ginsberg’s employee training on approachability was the absolute perfect fit, and completely exceeded everyone’s expectations, including mine. The feedback we received from our team was that this was hands down the best training they have ever been to. Scott found out what was important to us and gave us several options for training solutions. I would highly recommend him for a variety of industries, and I would happily work with him again!”  –Anne Conway, PHR | Corporate Director of Training and Development, | Lodging Hospitality Management

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