WakeUpLive.com presents: Can You Type?

Thirty years ago, I was the mother of a toddler named Nancy, expecting my second child, in the process of a divorce and working as a secretary earning less than $8,000 annually. This was not the life I had envisioned for myself. I wanted to be the woman behind the successful husband, the stay-at-home mom who took care of her children, donated her time to charity and made a difference in lives of others.

That dream evaporated as reality hit. My new life included tremendous debt from the divorce, two daughters to support by myself and an income level that had to be dramatically increased immediately. The answer seemed obvious: I would obtain a sales position where income is based on performance. I had once sold real estate part-time and knew I could sell.

The sales positions advertised in the classified ad wanted extensive sales experience, so I decided to utilize an employment agency. Extremely enthusiastic about my decision, I decided to register with all six agencies in my town. I would fill out their paperwork, interview with various recruiters and then I would be asked The Question: “Can you type?” The answer was, “Yes, I type over 100 words per minute, but I’m here to apply for a sales position.”

The only thing anyone heard was that I could type over 100 WPM. I was instantly perceived as a secretary and was told repeatedly, “You are not a salesperson!”

As I drove home in tears from my last interview, I realized I was not qualified to obtain a sales position. On to Plan B—I decided to work two jobs. As I lay in bed crying that evening, I felt the life of my second daughter in my body. I was consumed with sadness knowing I would never see my children grow up because I would be forced to work two jobs just to make ends meet. This was not the life I wanted for them or myself, and I prayed for guidance.

By the next morning, I had realized there had to be many other women in my situation; women who were being judged solely on their typing skills rather than on their other talents. I decided to open an employment firm that truly listened to what was important to the individuals being interviewed. I was the first woman to receive an unsecured business loan from a major bank.

I opened my office when Jodi (my youngest) was only three weeks old. I called the firm, “Sunshine Employment” because I wanted to bring brightness and hope into the lives of the individuals I represented.

Very early in my life I learned that I had no control over what happens to me, but have 100 percent control over how I choose to react. That was extremely empowering! In my heart, I knew I could sell and I decided to listen to what was in my heart and not what others were telling me. I developed extreme focus and a passion for my profession, which helped me overcome obstacles and learn from my mistakes. Whenever I was overwhelmed, I just walked into my daughters’ rooms, tucked them in bed and realized I could do anything.

I joined NAPS, the national association that represented my profession, to gain the knowledge I so desperately needed. I remember attending the first conference “no frills” which meant no food or social events—just the sessions. I also stayed at a cheaper hotel down the street to save money. When, years later, I was elected as the chairman of the board of my national association I focused on education and certification to provide training tools to benefit other owners and recruiters.

In the last 30 years, my company has placed over 125,000 individuals in direct, temporary and contract positions. My training company distributes training materials to my profession worldwide, and I speak at conferences throughout the United States and Canada each year providing sales training and keynote addresses.

That life that I had envisioned for myself has actually come true. I was able to take care of my children, to donate my time and money to charity and my profession allows me to make a difference in the lives of the people I represent on a daily basis. Eventually, I married my soul mate, Tony and we now enjoy life with our five children and nine grandchildren.

For the record, I still type over 100 WPM, but it doesn’t define who I am!

*** This article was republished with permission from the best-selling Wake Up...Live the Life You Love book series. To hear more information on this book and the book series, go to http://wakeupteleclass.com/.