Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maya Ahmed. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Maya, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I never really fit into boxes or categories. Take school as an example: I didn’t belong to any clique; rather, I had friends from several different cliques instead. My perspective was such, that I didn’t focus too much on where I belonged. I put my energy into recognizing that my voice is unique and has value, and that if I didn’t fully fit into a space, I needed to create a space for myself, which is what I did and continue to do. Yes, it is daunting and intimidating to be the only one in the room who looks like me, but it is also a valuable opportunity for me to increase my visibility and add my voice to the conversation. All of us have something to say. Once I acknowledged this about myself, I was able to push myself out of my comfort zone, show up to places where I otherwise would not have gone, and grow in surprising and exciting ways. This is what leads to success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Maya Ahmed, and I am a filmmaker. I direct, write, and produce short films with an incredible team, and we will be shifting a lot of our focus to creating feature films this year. I love to listen to and tell stories, and I am a daydreamer… so when inspiration hits, it HITS. It’s always a thrilling feeling when that happens!
I want to tell my stories in a way that unexpectedly awaken and speak to the souls of my audiences. It is a way to connect with people whom I otherwise would have no connection with, and it is a way to start some of the most meaningful and impactful conversations. My aim, in this way, is to leave the world a better place than it was when I entered it.
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?
1. Get comfortable taking up space. If there isn’t space, create that space. You have a right to that.
2. Do things that make you uncomfortable, within reason and without compromising your own boundaries. Outside of your comfort zone is where the most amazing change occurs. Also, honor your boundaries, and ensure everyone else honors your boundaries.
3. Always approach things with the right intention. Check yourself frequently to make sure you are still walking straight and still have the correct mindset. Find like-minded individuals and take them along with you. Check your ego, stay humble, be open to always learning from everyone. Keep in mind that you are not better than anyone, and no one is better than you.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
There were and are so many things my parents did, but the first thing that comes to mind in this moment is that they always trusted me and my judgement. They are an incredible unit when it comes to parenting, and together, they instilled excellent values in me since childhood that I continue to hold close to my heart. Because of this trust, I developed a strong sense of trust in myself, and this dictates how I approach situations and circumstances and how I carry myself and set my boundaries. Not to mention, this is an instrumental trait to have when directing films.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaahmedsocial/
- Others: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm9838189?s=7ac6ad9e-1486-c7ee-b2fe-38e7c47a44af&site_preference=normal
Image Credits
Thomas Angeletti Alexander Rogers Beyond Infinite Media
