Anaïs Nin, in a diary entry dated 23 February 1925, from The Early Diary of Anaïs Nin: 1923–1927

softlyhan

This doesn’t just apply to educational opportunities; I use it for professional opportunities as well. I work in a field that places an emphasis on connections, and many a time, who you know is more important than what you know. I do a lot of networking, a lot of following up on leads, and a lot of cold emailing and calling. I had to train myself to be comfortable being aggressive in the pursuit of what I wanted, and it’s done wonders for me; I’m more capable and more confident than ever, and the fear I once had about coming off as “too much” has dissipated. I live by the motto “relax, reach out, and release the fear” when I’m pursuing opportunities that will further my professional or educational aspirations, and I actively and aggressively promote both myself and my interests.

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