-
It’s About Damn Time by Arlan Hamilton
I just finished this book and have been recommending it to everyone! This book is Arlan’s story of breaking into the boys’ club of Silicon Valley to build Backstage Capital – a venture capital firm dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBTQ. You can find the book at https://amzn.to/40qZgWP.
I thought the book would be about venture capital and fundraising, but it was really a story about empowerment, finding your voice, working your way into any room you want to be in, and achieving your dreams. It’s a book of Arlan’s stories (which makes it easy to read) with lessons you can apply to your own life. Some of them are just slap your forehead thoughts that will have you saying to yourself, “Why wasn’t I thinking this way before? It’s so obvious!” I particularly like her discussion on imposter syndrome.
I’ll share some things she finds helpful to build her confidence:
(1) She listens to music that inspires her before any big meeting or before going on stage.
(2) She dresses for success in her own way (dark jeans, a hoodie, and purple shoes).
(3) When she doubts herself, thinks she might be overstepping, or might be thinking too big, she asks herself, “What would a White male do?”
(4) She tells herself every day that she deserves to be here.
(5) She refuses to compare her chapter 2 to someone else’s chapter 10.
(6) She takes comfort in community and urges everyone to find their community and reach out to it when needed.
So, I’d love to hear…what do you do to build your confidence when you need it? Or if you read the book, what are some of your takeaways from reading it?
-
0 Replies
Sorry, there were no replies found.