And may it take you to places that are unexpected and interesting. Places that light you up and make you feel a little more alive.
There's a really interesting trend going around on social media. And one of my dear, dear clients and friends, Krishna, suggested I share my reflection.
So! Here goes:
If I could take my 12-year-old self out to coffee
She would gleefully order a coffee frappuccino from Starbucks without hesitation.
She'd be shy, a bit reserved, but ever-so-curious.
"What is our life like now? Are we awesome?" She'd ask me.
"Do we have lots of great stories to tell?
"Do we fall in love with Lance Bass from NSYNC?" (that aged well 😂)
I touch her shoulder.
We have lots of great stories, I say.
You travel to Australia to be a scuba diver.
You change careers to software engineering. Just because someone told you, you couldn't do it.
You start 3 businesses because you love building things for people.
And you're stubborn as hell.
She nods. "I really am."
I tell her that it's safe to take up space.
In fact, it gets even more delicious and wonderful creating our own space, filled with joy, humor, and honesty.
And her people, our people, will be drawn to this because it makes them smile and gives them permission to be themselves.
She slurps up the final bits of the frap with that notorious green straw, and beams at 15-year-older me.
"We really did it."
What would you say to 12-year-old you?
(reply back - I'd love to hear your own reflection ❤️)
man, I really loved that jacket
Going-ons I'm excited for:
The most recent cohort of AuthenTech filled up for the first time ever!
I owe the reinforcement of my confidence to this crew!
Feeling alive + inspired with this momentum, I'll be opening up a special cohort in a couple weeks.
Come snack with me and chat about if this could be a mutually good fit 🍿.
Shiny things that caught my eye (and I want to share them)
Chagacino. Have you tried this? I'm an old fogey who can't drink caffeine so this as a hot treat, has treated me real good in the mornings.
This song from the movie A Real Pain. The movie itself? Highly recommend. But this song? After a soundtrack of Chopin, it came with levity and warmth as the credits played. Slim Smith's voice is captivating and I immediately started internet sleuthing for the song.
Start With Hello is a weeklyish newsletter of quips, tips + proven strategies specifically designed for women in tech who are ready to feel more like the energized and damn cool person they were 5 years ago.
It’s written by Sarah, a coach, founder, and Sushi Go aficionado. I offer 1:1 coaching and a very special group program called AuthenTech. If you’re curious, I’ve got you - book a snack-sized curiosity chat.
Please forward this to a friend if they’d find it interesting AND have a jazzy, spectacular kind of day⚡️
I help senior women in tech fall back in love with their careers.
"I look forward to reading your newsletters every time I get them. Every time something deeply resonates with me and I am forever grateful." - Pollyanna
