Embrace the Chaos: Dare to Do It Messy!
Hello, Dear readers,
If you’re reading this and we haven’t met yet, I am currently in a role I never thought I'd inhabit – President-elect of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. This journey, one I unwittingly embarked upon right after finishing my dental hygiene degree, has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Little did I know back then that my initial step into leadership with the Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association would be the first of many that would follow.
Picture this: a novice leader, fresh out of school, navigating the complexities of running meetings, crafting agendas, planning events, and managing budgets. To say I was clueless would be an understatement. Yet, amidst the messiness of those early experiences, I found my footing.
Throughout my journey, I've worn many hats – from a local leader in my community to state and national leadership positions. But it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. Life, as a leader and as a person juggling multiple roles, has gotten downright messy at times. And that’s okay.
This brings me to the essence of what I want to share with you: Embrace the Chaos; Dare to Do It Messy.
Life, in all its beautiful chaos, offers us a myriad of options – some good, some bad. We often wish for these options to neatly align, but reality is far from neat and tidy. It’s in our mistakes, missteps, hurts, and happiness that we learn and grow. These experiences shape us, expanding our horizons and pushing us to become better versions of ourselves.
Fear, that paralyzing emotion, can hinder our growth. It can make us hesitant, doubting our abilities and potential. Someone once asked me if I had any regrets as a leader. My answer was simple: no regrets, just a piece of advice – don’t wait. Don’t wait another minute to pursue your dreams. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, because there isn’t one.
One trap I fell into, born from fear, was the illusion of perfection. The pursuit of perfection is a futile endeavor. Waiting for the perfect conditions, the perfect skills, or the perfect approval from others is a waste of time. It’s an illusion that stifles progress.
I confess, fear almost stalled this blog. The fear of not being good enough, smart enough, or brave enough haunted me. But here I am, embracing the messy and imperfect, and urging you to do the same.
Embrace your chaos, your imperfections, your fears, and just go for it. Dare to pursue your dreams, no matter how impractical they may seem. I challenge you to do it and do it messy! What’s the worst that can happen? You might stumble, you might face criticism, but you will also grow, learn, and inspire others.
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from my words, it’s this: Go for it!
With messy enthusiasm,
Erin
