Meet Adena Abik

We recently connected with Adena Abik and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Adena, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

After various experiences with rejection you have a choice to feel sorry for yourself or keep going.

Each of us face our own unique challenges  in life and getting through them is what shapes us into who we are at our core.

Personally, I never felt like I fit in and was never the popular one at school or in the workforce.

Being unique and embracing your flaws is what sets you apart from the pack.

If everyone looked the same or just blended into the background, the world would be a different and boring place to exist.

Feeling rejection bruises your self-esteem, but remember some individuals are afraid to shine and in order to make a difference, you need to find your confidence so that you can encourage others to follow suit.

The world is a better place with those that are brave enough to step up and lead the way. That is how change begins.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I grew up in Los Angeles and moved to New York with $300.

My first apartment was in Harlem and my friend/roommate gave me the bedroom and they took the living room.

For work, I was a server on the Upper West Side them began temping.

Some of my assignments included a position as a Fashion Assistant at Vogue Magazine. Candy Pratts-Price was my boss.

I also worked in Advertising and met four other women that also wanted to do music so we started a band called, Bikini Contest.

Eventually, I was offered to write a column focusing on Nightlife in NY.

Lastly, I met someone willing to mentor me in Real Estate and have had a long career ever since.

Another band that I was in was called, Persnickety with a dear friend named Jeffery (may he rest in peace).

It has been a wild ride and at 56 years of age, I am still here.

In June of last year I was married which was quite a shock for many.

My advice is to continue down your path knowing that life is not always easy, but you need to take the good with the bad as it goes by so fast.

Cherish those around you. Pray for your enemies and make the world a better place is your assignment.

Collectively, anything is possible.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Life is filled with set-backs.

It is okay to feel sad or defeated for a brief amount of time, but you can’t stay there or on the mountain when things are going your way.

Find your courage to carry on.

The world needs you and your unique gifts.

There is someone that needs to feel inspired by your struggle so it is your responsibility to keep that passion alive.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Now that I am approaching my late fifties, I realize how our culture seems to only value youth.

As you grow older, you become wiser, yet society focuses on outer beauty rather than what is inside.

Recently, film makers are taking notice creating films showing the struggle many face as they reach their golden years which is refreshing to witness and long overdue.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @adenadawn
• Linkedin: https://Linkedin.com/in/AdenaAbik
• Other: Iheartradio/Persnickety

Image Credits

*Snaps by Amanda’ Amanda Ramirez, Wedding Photo

Persnickety image: Robert M. Ford photography