Take care of yourself and trust your gut…

Sometimes when someone tries to undermine you, it is best to remove yourself from the situation (even for a while) and get affirmation and validation elsewhere.
 
This week’s guest shared a story that illustrated this point, but other guests have shared this similar sentiment. 

For Dr. Silvia Martinez, bilingual speech-language pathologist and assistant professor at Howard University, she had this experience while in her doctoral program at Boston University.  Silvia had an advisor who didn’t appreciate her or understand her area of study.  Moreover, he was discriminatory toward her and said derogatory things about Puerto Ricans. 
 
Instead of leaving the program or getting therapy, Silvia decided instead to pursue studies at Harvard.During this time of advanced study, she was praised and appreciated by multiple professors.  This enabled her to go back, get a new advisor and complete her Ph.D. confident in the knowledge that she was competent, capable and outstanding in her field.
 
Something similar happened to Christina Sarchio, partner at the law firm of Howrey, LLP.  While at a prior law firm, Christina had a very difficult time, was not appreciated, and was in a stressful work environment where Latinos were derided and made fun of. 
 
Christina likewise decided to remove herself from the situation and found herself in a much better and more productive (and appreciative!) work environment. 
 
For both women, at one point, they wondered if it was "them" and if they had done something wrong, and if they needed to "stick it out."  But both of them — and other guests too — figured out that sometimes other people are put in your way that have their own issues (including prejudice) that has nothing to do with you.
 
It’s up to each of us to choose our battles and to take care of ourselves and to make our lives better.  In the case of both of these women, the outcome was fantastically better for their career.
 
So, remember, take care of yourself, trust your gut, and get out of bad situations when necessary.  I know that I’ve had to do the same.  And even though the experience is never any fun, something much better is out there waiting for you!
 
Con mucho cariño, 
 
Aurelia 

P.S.  In case you missed Silvia’s interview, you can purchase either the audio or the transcript (or both) of the interview at the special pre-sale price until next Wednesday.  Click here to find out more…