We were lucky to catch up with Alexandria Garcia recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alexandria , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
As a person who has always been held to high standards by my family, myself, and those around me who believed in me and my potential- imposter syndrome was unavoidable. To know that so many people believed in the “future me”, it was so easy to feel as if the “present me ” was never really good enough so I inevitably took on the features of who everyone thought I was great enough to become.
When I was a child, my parents required good grades and always encouraged me to be a part of school organizations and extracurricular activities. The adults around me (parents, teachers, and advisors) saw leadership, compassion, and confidence traits, and admired my writing and speaking abilities. They began to gently push me to higher heights in classes such as English and encouraged my participation in Debate clubs and Honor societies. After seeing my participation and ability to excel in those things- my support system never discouraged my drive to be a leader or mentor within the organizations in which I was involved. Winning in competitions and becoming an official leader for organizations allowed me to gather and portray the confidence to wholly fulfill the shoes of the “imposter” I felt I had been for so long. For the longest time, even now sometimes, I saw my potential as an imposter, not the person I was meant to grow into as time allowed.
Many would think the constant push to do better and be better by those who saw my potential (especially at such a young age) was a bad thing – however, if I had not been determined to reach the high standards set for myself academically, life, financially, and in my career- the things I have accomplished at this age (23) would have never been done. Giving all honor to God, I overcame imposter syndrome by becoming the BEST version of myself I never thought I could be. I overcame by always going the extra mile and understanding that the shoes we are meant to fill will be waiting for us when we are ready, and that even when we don’t think we are ready and we are not qualified- God will always qualify us!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Most people should know that I am a servant leader within my community and the spaces I enter. I aim to be an inspiration to the younger generation so they can actually see someone living debt-free, living life vivaciously and to the fullest, and seeing someone who never let any odds beat her or lower her chances of success.
Most importantly though, people should know that I had no huge advantage in life- I simply made positive decisions and kept God in my life and everything has worked for my good! There’s no secret to success but there are mentors and support systems that will help you along the way.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Regardless of what you do in life, the 3 best qualities you can have are Empathy, an understanding of how the world works, Set of Morals, and values.
Empathy: In a world where people listen to respond, you will need to learn to listen to understand. In my life and career- people respect me more for my empathetic heart and spirit than any job or skill on my resume. Empathy can change LIVES and can transform the worst of environments. Learn to love and understand early in life.
Understanding of how the world works: You have to understand the good, the bad, and the ugly of the world we live in. This develops a sense of awareness and reality so that in pursuit of your dreams and aspirations you never forget how to treat people, handle certain situations, and of course be successful. You must understand how to create a space for yourself that can serve others and create comfortability for yourself and your family.
Set of Morals and Values: How do you live? How do those around you live? You need to have a set of morals and values that can guide you through life. I take pride in using the Bible as the basis of my morals and values. This creates stability in my life and a map for my decisions.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The book that has truly lit a fire under me and confirmed my life values would be Booker T. Washington’s “Up from Slavery”. Reconstruction was crucial for African-American socioeconomic development. Booker T. Washington was one of the figures who developed those stepping stones for the newly freed African Americans to secure stability and working relationships due to economic supply and demand. He also knew the importance of Hard Work, Truth, and excellence.
His speech at the Atlanta Exposition would be most notable and valuable to me as he states:
“Our greatest danger is that in the great leap from slavery to freedom we may overlook the fact that the masses of us are to live by the productions of our hands, and fail to keep in mind that we shall prosper in proportions we learn to dignify and glorify common labor and put brains and skill into the common occupations of life; shall prosper in proportion as we learn to draw the line between the superficial and the substantial, the ornamental gewgaws of life and the useful. No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem. It is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top. Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities.”
Contact Info:
- Website: GenExcel.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/generations_excel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenerationsExcel/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandria-garciasa/
- Other: https://youtu.be/lhBPIQ7wBWo – Phenomenal Women Project
