I recently attended the Seattle Counselors Association (SCA) meeting. This was the first time I’d attended and, frankly, I was a little nervous about putting myself out there. I’d heard from a colleague that SCA was an amazing group of people, all with a bunch of letters after their names (PsyD, PhD, EdD, LCSW, etc.). I have some letters after my name, but in my mind they didn’t stack up.
So I questioned myself: “Did I really belong in the room?”
Here’s what I learned from attending that meeting:
- If you are in the room, you belong. They let me in, so I must belong there, right?
- Belonging doesn’t mean being the same. There was an incredible diversity of talent and specialties. In any industry, I believe there isn’t just one way to get results. What resonates with one client, may not resonate with another. We need diversity in approach.
- There’s space for everyone. At the beginning of the meeting, everyone introduced themselves and their specialty. Among all the specialty and geographic diversity, I was the only ADHD coach and people were interested.
- Talk to people. I had some amazing one-on-one conversations and learned about treatments I would never have known existed had I not pushed through my nervousness and feeling like I didn’t belong.
- Participate. Being a speaker myself, I don’t want to just listen to myself talk. I want questions. I want feedback. I thrive on the energy of participation. When you speak up, people take notice. They remember you. They appreciate you.
- Own it. As the only ADHD Coach in the room, I had insights others didn’t. Although I don’t have the same initials after my name, I could speak the healing language, yet with a different awareness.
- If it feels right, it’s probably right. Before I attended the meeting, I wasn’t sure if this was the right connection for me. Would I feel “less than?” Would I feel like an outsider? Would I be accepted on their playing field? Answers: No. No. Yes. It felt right, so it’s right.
I can’t thank SCA enough for their graciousness and acceptance. In the famous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, “I’ll be back.”
Cindy Jobs, COC, ACC
Looking for more information?
Click here for 15-minute organizing tips.
Click here to schedule a complimentary breakthrough session.
For more helpful information, follow me on Facebook.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals, Seattle Chapter
International Coach Federation
Institute for Challenging Disorganization
Level I Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization; ADD; Client Administration; Time Management; Mental Health; and Hoarding.
Level II Specialist Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization and ADHD.