Happy Galentine’s Day!
February 13th is Galentine’s Day. It was made famous, maybe even started by, Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation lure. Leslie Knope is a modern day shero: smart, ambitious, funny, and fiercely loyal. Every year on February 13th, Leslie gathers her squad, goes out for waffles, and showers them with love, attention, and compliments. If you haven’t yet, you should host your own Galentine’s Day. It’s awesome!
We have Amy Poehler to thank for Leslie. I’m a huge Amy Poehler fan. She works hard, uses her quick wit to make others laugh without resorting to snark, and is unabashedly feminist and intersectional in uplifting other women, especially young girls (see: Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls). And, she went to Boston College. We weren’t there at the same time, but I’m not afraid to say that I would have followed her around and made her my friend.
In my work as a career coach and resume writer, I help women and men across industries, generations, life experiences, and skill levels. I’ve noticed that men are more willing to see coaching (and resume writing) as an investment and decide more quickly to hire me. The women I speak with hem and haw. They are less likely to see themselves as ready or worthy of the time and money they will spend in coaching. They (almost always) consult with someone else about their decision before (or if) they circle back to me.
Just this week, I spoke with a potential client who wanted out of her current role, but “didn’t feel qualified or ready for a position at the next level.” Yet, in our conversation, she explained that she had more than the minimum years of experience required, the technical expertise, and the preferred educational degree listed in the posting. Men will apply for a position if they meet only 60% of the qualifications. Women wait until they are 100% qualified.
Galentine’s Day is all about empowerment. Seeing the best in other women, so you can see it in yourself. Leslie and Amy are all about lifting up others and pushing them toward greatness. In her book, Yes Please, Amy writes:
Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it.
Doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone,
taking risks like that- that’s what life is. You might be really good.
You might find out something about yourself that’s really special
and if you’re not good, who cares?
You tried something. Now you know something about yourself.
I know what self-doubt feels like. I wasn’t ready to quit my full-time job and take my company full-time. I’m glad I took the leap, though! I love what I do. I help people find and promote their best selves. I am the coach that I needed when I wasn’t ready. I’m no Leslie Knope, but I am a compassionate listener and strong encourager. I help people see their unique gifts and talents, so they can find and then tell their career story.
Ladies, it’s time for us to stop waiting until we’re ready. Until we have every single box checked before we apply for that job, run for office, have a baby, choose a partner. There is no ready. You are already ready. You can do this. Like Leslie, find a squad of gals, love em fiercely, and let them love you fiercely in return. I can help, too. Contact me- you’re “ready.”
Happy Galentine’s Day!