Your Experience, Their Experience, My Experience

As we all know, we each have our own life experiences, shaped by the decisions we've made along the way. Right? Have you ever asked a friend, family member, or colleague for their opinion on a decision in your life? Most likely, yes. They share their advice based on their own experiences. Sometimes, you take that advice, and it either benefits or hinders what happens next for you.

A wise woman once told me this: Your experience is your own. Your life is your own. The outcome of the decisions you make is your own. Sometimes, in life, you need to ask yourself for advice on the decisions you face about what comes next. The road less traveled may be yours to take, and others might not have the best advice because they chose the path most traveled.

I am a single mother, and I knew I wanted a degree in something related to healthcare. However, I was sure that being a nurse and working hands-on wasn't my passion. The advice I received was to "just become a nurse" because it’s a lucrative field, and other people I knew had done it. But I chose a different, though related, path in healthcare and pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in healthcare information technology and management. It suited me better, and I could see myself growing in the field while earning a similar salary. I advised myself, and I did my own research—simple research using YouTube, Google, and various websites for salary look-ups.

At the time, I was a CNA working for the state and different agencies when I needed this advice. Now, I work for a large private health insurance company, earning the salary I desired.

The advice and decisions you make for yourself shape who you are today—whether it's being a great mother, daughter, aunt, or whoever you are. Let that self-trust and inner guidance lead you. You are unique, and guess what? There’s only one you. Isn’t that something to love?

The best advice often comes from within. Trust yourself, and stand by the decisions you make—whether they turn out good or bad—with confidence. Next, we can talk about failure and what it really means. It's not always a bad thing.