We had the good fortune of connecting with LexMeetsWorld and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi LexMeetsWorld, what role has risk played in your life or career?
A wise man once said, “Opportunity does not come gift wrapped. You must take risks.”
It is safe to say that life’s greatest lessons come when we shift our focus out of our comfort zone. We grow tremendously when we take the road less travelled, create our own trail, and make our own choices and free ourselves from the biggest question – “what if?” Playing it safe is imperative but it only gets you so far. Change is in fact scary and the fear of the unknown usually gets the best of us. Everyone likes feeling secure and in control of the direction of their life, and often it makes people uneasy to think about a future that is undefined. Our minds are wired to think of the worst- case scenarios. Now all risks don’t guarantee success and the thought of rejection can push people away from taking chances. Nonetheless, failure is an essential part of success. Contrary to the negative connotation attached to failure, it is often defeat and rock bottom that teach us the importance of resilience and never giving up.
The path to success is not linear, and it is a process of continuous learning and failure is truly just an opportunity to grow. Almost all of us have a template of what we want our lives to look like – everything we want to achieve, to do, and to be. This could be anywhere from completing a degree and pursuing a dream career to changing the world. Regardless of what it entails, we all have a checklist of things we would like to accomplish before we die. However, in all likelihood, life gets in the way and numerous obstacles arise that push you further away from your ideal reality. This is exactly when it is important to remember that dreams do not fall into your lap. Life is an endless cycle of pursuing them and working hard until they come into existence, despite countless setbacks and failures. It is imperative to become comfortable with the fact that you may not be able to see reasons for your struggles now but what is meant for you will not pass you by.
At 26, I was let go from my corporate job and with 2 young boys and honestly I didn’t even bother to job-hunt. I couldn’t tell you why I just FELT something deep inside calling me forward.
Standing here 6 months later I’m walking in my purpose and I couldn’t be happier.
I am now a Professional Makeup Artist, I specialize in a Timeless Glam Application. I love to enhance the features of my clients with a subtle touch-dewy, luminous skin and soft contour. The objective is to reveal who you really are, to build and strengthen your self confidence. There was no such thing as over-saturated.. I knew there was room for me simply because God brought me to it.
Ultimately, I had to get really specific about my goals, and attack all of my weaknesses. Developing my own unique style has allowed me to stand out from the competition. Being a makeup artist didn’t mean I was better than anyone. I was constantly rising permanently above comparison. I wanted to show my guests why I was valuable in my own way. By investing time, effort, knowledge and skill I have been able to find my own lane within the beauty industry.
As for me, makeup is a tool, a weapon to conquer my fears and achieve my goals. Ultimately, when you look good, you feel good!
Taking risks to achieve a goal requires courage to face the fear of uncertainty. No matter the outcome, either way I’ve been able to grow through the process and ultimately become more resilient. and confident. I’ve struggled with trusting myself and dealing with the uncertainty that comes with taking risks, By taking risks, I’ve given myself permission to try new things, learn, to fail, to. grow, and explore.
Though you may consider second-guessing yourself, understand that there is a possibility it could work out- entertain that thought! We must confront our own fears and sometimes that may lead to failure…but WHAT IF that wasn’t such a bad thing after all?
What’s the worst that could happen?
Even if you miss it, you will become wiser. The thought has gotten you further ahead than remaining stagnant and not progressing at all. Our past experiences with taking risks are what determine how likely we are to undertake more of them in the future. If our risks pay off and work to our advantage, we are more likely to favour risks in the future, as compared to when it does not benefit us. This is crucial to understand because you cannot become comfortable with taking risks overnight.
Taking smaller well- informed risks in daily life has created a positive pattern and motivated me to take chances on larger, more significant things to achieve my greatest goals. If you win you will be happy, and if you lose you will be wise. Either way, it’s a win-win, so what are you waiting for?
My advice on getting started, get comfortable with being uncomfortable!
“I can’t deal with people who aren’t risk takers. Many find excuses to play it safe or try to mitigate the risks. There’s no greatness on the other side of apprehension, I gotta know that you’re unafraid or that when the game is on the line, and I tell you to trust me, that’s you’re not second-guessing everything. If that’s who you are, that’s ok.. I can be cool with you, but I wouldn’t want to be your teammate.” -Tom Brady
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being an Influencer today means posting content to keep a fan base engaged and then monetizing that audience.
LexMeetsWorld wasn’t just a logo, or my company name. It was the feeling that someone would get when they thought of my content. It’s my presence, message, and my reputation. This was created over time through every single one of my posts, videos, photos, and interactions with my audience. Before creating every post or piece of content, it became imperative to consider how I wanted the content to make my audience feel.
There was no rule or law that I had to abide by, like sticking to an intense posting schedule, a big following would be great, but I am a firm believer that tracking valuable engagement means way more than the success of following numbers alone.
Over-thinking never got me anywhere and honestly, it’s even easier when you’re someone who needs order and. control. You start to analyze, inspect and plan for things so much that you miss the point of what you’re doing.
Whatever your plans are, create with intention. Start where you are, use what you have. and do what you can.
You don’t have to show up every day and balance a million things. You don’t need to make your content powerful, your goal isn’t of numeric value- but it is of heart value.
Allow what you have already created, work for you! I’m finally finding a balance between who I am and who I’m meant to be.
Have you. ever held back on being all of who you are? If so, how did you get back to living from the heart?
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
TEAM: Together everyone achieves more.
Ashlei @girlbossbranded has not only shown interest in my goals as a Creator but has captured every moment of it. The content we’ve created has been so alluring and engaging. Her photography skills are so distinguishing, that it meshes so well with my brand.
To Ashlei,
Thank you for being someone I could confide in and really trust with my goals. Thank you for being so patient, calm, so open -minded and fair. Thank you for being my greatest champion even when I wasn’t looking. But most importantly, thank you for being the type of human who always wants to help not because you felt bad for me but simply because you knew I deserved it!
It takes a special kind of friend to mention your name in a room full of opportunities.
and for that this Shoutout is for you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexxmeetsworldd/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9xqJLVidt0pVWQM8ZuGULQ
Other: Image Credits: https://www.instagram.com/girlbossbranded/ (Photographer)
Image Credits
Ashlei Williams