(Editor’s note: I wrote this blog a few years ago, but it’s still so relevant that I’ve taken the opportunity to post it again. My kids are well past the kinder stage now! ;-) )
Last week I did 'handover' of my Quality Assurance Officer role to the kinder committee. Yep, I was on the kinder committee this year - and for most of it, really enjoyed the experience. Yet what really surprised me, on the night where the new committee members were appointed, was how many people (and by people you can insert the word 'women' in this instance) lacked the confidence and belief in themselves to take up a voluntary position in the kindergarten! The number of times I heard "how hard is it?", "do you think I can do it?" and "I'm not sure I have the skills to do it" was really surprising to me. (I was also surprised at the lack of men putting their hand up for positions, but that's another story!)
How often do we lack belief in ourselves to the point where we don't even make the effort to try?
It never ceases to amaze me how many women, particularly once they've had kids and potentially been out of the workforce for a little while, lack the confidence to give things a go. I was there too - and even when I started up Pufferfish Marketing I was terrified and wondered whether I could actually do it or not! But what's the point of living if you don't try new stuff?
I realised that I really did know something about marketing, and I was able to provide help and support to others, that perhaps knew all the same stuff as me, but didn't want to (or were simply unable to) devote the time to it. What I learned was that I didn't have to know more or be better than others in a lot of cases, I just had to be willing and able to get my hands dirty and get the job done. And that is something that has been valued more than anything else I offer!
So the moral of this story is not really about kindergarten committees (you do learn a lot from them!) or Pufferfish Marketing . It's about being positive, having confidence and providing support. I encourage every person out there to give something new a go! Perhaps don't try Rocket Science if you haven't studied it, but try something new! It can be as simple as cooking a new recipe, but the point is - give it a go!
And perhaps even more importantly, if you see someone out there giving it a go - support them! Remember that whilst they might not be showing it on the outside, they are probably just as nervous as you would be if you were in their shoes.