How to navigate bias’ in order to achieve your dreams

It can be deeply discouraging when we face the vast and varied forms of rejection along our paths to success. Rejection and bias can have a huge negative impact our confidence and sense of self. When we feel defeated in the face of struggle, it can be helpful to unpack how bias impacts our success and find new routes to get there. Connecting to the reality of unconscious (and overt) biases within our society can allow us to see the bigger picture and reconnect to our true self-worth. These biases are geared towards the typical standards for bodies, minds, and general behavior. So if I am atypical, success will likely be harder to reach. Success, therefore, is not merely the result of hard work alone, but also acceptance by the world around us. When I was a young woman lawyer, the world said I was supposed to dress like the men around me (tie, jacket and of course a skirt instead of pants). Instead, I went out and bought expensive pink suits that celebrated my femininity. Ironically, this pulled me out of the crowd and helped get the job I wanted. If you are finding success difficult to find, and rejection more common than you would like, remember that these bias’ are not your truth. Nor are they under your control. It is healthy to acknowledge and process the personal hardships we all face at some time and see clearly the enormous number of privileges and disadvantages that you can face along any given success journey. To cut the noise in your head, recognize that your own true worth is only for you to determine. No matter the bias you face, when you see and share your own self-worth, others will likely follow your lead.