We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aisha Armstrong . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aisha below.
Aisha , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from my mother. I watched her from as early as I can remember being such a great role model and resilient person. Her strength inspired me and still continues to daily. She taught me skills and life lessons I will always utilize in my decision making. My mother taught me the importance of having an education and also using my determination to acquire knowledge to take myself far in life.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
By day I work in Agriculture as an Agronomist. I graduated in May of 2015 from The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with my Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture: Agronomy (Plant and Soil Science). My career is focused mainly in Crop Insurance Processing.
Outside of my 9-5, I mentor young girls and content create on social media. I consider Life as Aisha to be my brand. I am consistently building it daily. I have had the opportunity to work with various brands and also give input in professional campaigns. Another brand of mine would be Sole of Kicks. It is an outlet where I showcase my love for athletic sneakers.
Growing up I was always into fashion and footwear. My focus being streetwear mainly. I have always been creative as far as art work or design. Those natural abilities are showcased by how I dress and put outfits and colors together. I also style when time permits clients for events.
Being a native of the South, I would love to bring more of an awareness of local women in sneakers. Worldwide we are finally beginning to get recognition and I want to bring a focus on my state of Mississippi and surrounding areas. It is a hope of mine to get the ball rolling soon to create a space for us.
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?
The three most important qualities I think that were impactful in my journey would be positivity, kindness, and resilience.
I spoke on it earlier and how my mother instilled resilience in me but I also want others to know how far that resilience has taken me. Life isn’t always easy. You sometimes wake up and don’t know where to begin or how/why to keep going. Resilience taught me and continues to teach me that no matter what’s going on in the outside world, I have to be resilient enough to keep doing the work. Whether it be day by day or brick by brick. Resiliency is an essential life skill. It can get you through those tough days.
Positivity goes hand in hand with resilience. You have to be positive and know things will work out for you if you put forth your best effort. Having a positive mindset and faith can help you journey through anything. Half of what happens is for you and not to you.
Lastly kindness is key. I was always taught you never know what someone is going through so always speak with a kind heart. Mental health is a big topic these days and I am happy it is. People sometimes hide what they are going through internally because of this world being so unkind. If I can impact at least one person each day with my kindness and make them maybe smile or feel better just from my interaction I am doing what God intended for me to do and also utilizing values I was raised with.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I think both are important. It is necessary to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses so you will know what areas you need to grow in and also what you’re doing right. Also being well rounded showcases your versatility. It’s a great quality to not be so one dimensional.
Personally I like to be well rounded. I do a little of everything. Not just what I mentioned previously. But I also can’t just place into words everything I am capable of because each day I work towards being a better person. Adopting new skills and learning. I have a thirst for knowledge. I want to always remain teachable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/_LifeasAisha
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/_lifeasaisha
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/c/LifeasAisha
Image Credits
Sedrick Askew (Canvas Studios 901)
