Never ask permission!

I dreamed of doing the job I do today. Analyze the functioning of a company, define its strengths and weaknesses, think about the strategies to implement to (re)build a brand image and work in depth on each of its mechanisms to achieve the set objectives.

But there was a problem. I am self-taught.

I didn’t learn my trade (which didn’t exist in its current form at the time anyway) on the rough seats of a business school.

I have gained experience in low paid jobs (when you don’t have diplomas…) and doing a lot of volunteering for causes close to my heart.

But I was lucky enough to learn from the best. My teachers have been the biggest names in the world for the last 50 years. I read dozens and dozens of books, browsed thousands of websites (blogs didn’t exist yet), did online training, etc.

At the door of my dreams, I surrender…

I understood one thing.

After many rejections and low-paying jobs, and years of wondering if I was truly competent in my field, I realized that I didn’t need recognition to live my dream.

I didn’t have to ask permission. Nor expect any legitimacy.

There was a starting point for this reflection.

As a self-taught person (but graduates experience this too), we can sometimes be torn apart by impostor syndrome. The deep feeling that we don’t deserve the place we have, that we are deluded scammers and that sooner or later someone will realize it and expose this deception to the world.

When I was at the height of one of these crises and my professional and personal situation couldn’t have been more chaotic, I decided to take a course. I made an appointment with a consultant from a business school in Bordeaux.

I presented my journey to him. I wanted him to tell me: “but you are already very strong, we have nothing to offer you!” but instead suggested I enroll in a Masters 2 in digital marketing.

In fact, I was super excited. I would finally put an end to my little existential crises and my lack of confidence. On the way home, as I strolled along the sunny quays of Bordeaux, a little voice deep inside me told me that I shouldn’t commit to this year. I didn’t need it.

What ? After all these years of wandering, I could finally sit down, learn, implement, and most importantly, get that damn piece of paper that opens the door to a better career. But no, this little voice told me it wasn’t necessary.

OK. I won’t dwell on this little item because it is not the subject of the article. I am a believer and I have this habit of praying, of talking to God about my joys, my worries and my plans. This might sound strange but I promise I’m fine.

In short, parenthesis closed. So I followed this internal advice. This year I didn’t take any courses.

…For better direction

Instead I took a completely different direction. A friend had been encouraging me to start my own business for years.

I swallowed, rolled up my sleeves and launched myself as a communications and digital marketing consultant.

Honestly, I was freaking out.

At the same time, I launched my blog. I started writing regularly. Despite my concerns about legitimacy (but who am I to talk about marketing and give advice?), I wrote my first articles.

Very imperfect. I still am anyway.

However, for some reason, people joined and followed me. Within a few weeks, my Twitter account, which had about ten followers, grew to several hundred. I have been really encouraged by the feedback on my work.

Having not really undergone any formatting tied to a school or way of thinking, I wrote from my heart. Instead of just talking about marketing, I also shared my values, my concern for the coherence of communication with what an organization really is, my vision of the web and social networks.

After a few months, the opportunities started to grow. A publisher contacted me to write a book on community management. I have been quoted in several recognized publications, in marketing jobs. Teachers encouraged me by telling me that they used this or that article in their courses.

I have had the opportunity to work with very different clients. Multi-victory restaurateur at TopChef, international companies, high-level athlete in retraining, communication and marketing agencies (the same ones that didn’t trust me as an employee a few years ago).

Don’t wait for permission…

Because it will never come.

The culmination of this encouragement came a few months later.

I have taught several courses in business schools and particularly to the promotion of which I should have been a student if I had followed through on my uncertainties.

I attended this school. I also attended the Master 2 digital marketing course. Not as a student, as a teacher. I admit, there was some emotion.

Don’t wait for permission. Don’t expect recognition by applying for a job if you don’t believe in yourself.

Since then I have worked in several schools. I have held several conferences. My background, which seemed like a weakness to me, became my strength.

My site has allowed me to gain some recognition and establish privileged connections with people for whom I have deep admiration.

Take control of your career

Don’t wait for the opportunity that will revolutionize your career. Create it!

Don’t wait for someone to validate your skills. Trust yourself!

Develop your personal brand, reveal your skills and experience through your content.

It’s not about self-promotion, about taking on a refined, idealized profile, but about understanding who you are, what you’re capable of, what your particular gifts and talents are, and understanding how you can make yourself useful: essential?— with your clients or your employer.

And you, what are your professional dreams? What are you doing to put them into action? Do you know how to listen to it?small inner voice Who seems so unreasonable that they might actually be right?