Time and time again, it’s only until I glance at the clock till I realize that it’s the wee hours in the morning, when I stop to think, why am I doing this to myself? Rather than being comfy in my bed, catching up on much needed beauty sleep, enjoying a night off, most of my nights are spent catching up on the most up to date social media news, reading through my emails that I have already looked at once at my blackberry during the day, setting up meetings for the next couple days and booking my agenda solid for the next week. By the end of the night, I go to sleep, only satisfied when I know I have filled out my well loved lime green agenda from the University of Waterloo with deadlines all planned out, tentative scheduled meetings and of course the rest of my social activities etched in there somewhere. Mind you, this is not every night, after all, I am human and do take some nights off. Though I would say that it is a fair calculation of what goes through in my mind on most nights ever since I have made the one decision that has not “changed my life”, but brought upon me the amazing possibilities that can take place with a group of like-minded individuals, passionate about one thing, and transforming what would often remain as a dream, into reality.
Okay so I realize it might sound like I’m sucking you into a cult, but in all seriousness, isn’t that what all groups in society are based upon? We all form groups or have the same people that we hang out with, because we believe in the same values or enjoy doing the same thing, whether it’s a sports team, or book club, or the kids you grew up with since kindergarten. In my case, it’s being involved in student groups that have stolen my heart. I’ve played a role in more social organizations, or business-oriented organizations, but it’s really with Impact Entrepreneurship Group that makes me feel like I got the cake and ate it too.
A lot of people who don’t feel the same way about entrepreneurship, might not understand why I put so much of my blood, sweat and tears (literally) into volunteering for a non-profit organization that is merely a “club run by students”, and sure, has had its fair share of successes. But to me, it is so much more than that. it is not something that you realize by hearing it from someone else. It is actually you being put on the spot, you being held accountable to getting something done, you achieving something that you never in your dreams could have been possible.
So the big question is, why do I love Impact? Let me count thee ways..
- It loves me for who I am, and the crazy ideas that come along with it. I have never met such a supportive group of like-minded individuals that have managed to find each other in the midst of our chaotic world, working side by side, being truly passionate with what we do, and really motivating each other with our own goals or projects that we are all working on.
- It pushes me to the limits that I never knew I could even reach. Directing a gala with a team of three others, dealing with a silent auction, all the logistics, an awards ceremony, relations with very important people and keeping them happy, working with external vendors ranging from the AV company to the suppliers of our tablecloths .. I could never ask for a better result.
- It made me realize that I am so much more than what will be stated on my university degree. I am graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in a joint honours major in Psychology and French Co-op program with a specialization in Human Resources Management? What does all that jibber jabber mean?
- It gives me the confidence to act on my gut instinct and to JUST DO IT. It is better to have tried and failed than to never try and wonder for the rest of your life, what if?
- I have an excuse to talk to industry and build my network. That was a bit blunt, but I totally believe in it’s who you know and not what you know that will get you to where you want to be in life.
- It is my sandbox and I can play as I please. I can attempt to build supersized sandcastles or I can decide to make a single stand-alone castle. Though I know what’s important is that at the end of the day, whether or not my structures are still standing, I was given the chance to build my dream castle and I walk away so much wiser.
- I am surrounded by people much smarter than I am. You can only learn by surrounding yourself with the best, which constantly challenges you to be on your toes.
I am not asking you to agree with me on every point here or buy into entrepreneurship here. That is not my intent at all. Everyone has their own passions and dislikes, it is our uniqueness that makes this world go round. Though I do feel that everyone reading this can definitely relate to my story simply by filling in the blanks with your own passion. It’s what motivates you. What gets you excited. What you enjoy doing most. It’s the one thing that you spend so much time on, that you don’t even realize the entire day has passed, yet you’ve been working on it all day. It’s not work to you, it’s fun, it’s pleasure, it fills you up with the adrenaline rush that keeps you going and going.
I’ve found it. What’s yours?
Cleaning out my room after 21 years has been a bittersweet ride. Part of me laughs at myself, being so silly to keep things like my graduation program from Grade 6, while also enjoying the chance to relive the long-forgotten memories. Looking around my room now, I see a clutter of my stuff that I’ve adored and accumulated over the years. Being in my last year of university, it’s now or never to switch from my mickey mouse wallpaper to something .. I’m hoping a bit more sophisticated. Changing my room is a bit symbolic I think too.. moving from one stage to the next. Almost reaching the end of university, and I’ll be embarking on the next stage of life. But really, what’s next from this point? Going to University wasn’t something I absolutely knew I wanted to do, it was more like that’s what I knew I had to do. Wasn’t really much of a choice if I thought about it, I mean, really, at the age of 17, what can you really do? (My experience now with Impact and working with entrepreneurs tells me something completely different 
)