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I Was Never a Sheep!

Written by: Linda Ockwell-Jenner

Article Overview: Have you ever wondered why some people are so unique and stand out and others are just hidden in the crowd. I stand out, I have never been a sheep!

I Was Never a Sheep!

From an early age I was never a sheep, I was a leader not a follower. Saying that I was always open to listening to others and hearing their point of view. What I would not do would be led astray. I knew right from wrong, I had strong principles and I never veered from the beaten track. I was me, like me or lump me. It was not easy, I had few friends at school, true friends that is. I recently met an old school friend in the UK whilst on holiday there and she told me I had been the envy of many. I asked her why and she said I stood out, I was pretty, had a lovely smile and a laugh that was unique to me. No one told me that at school, I always hid my shyness, my lack of self esteem and did my best to hang in there feeling lost sometimes. When a couple of my friends wanted me to smoke cigarettes behind the bike shed I said no and got laughed at. When they wondered why I did not mess around with boys I said my mom had told me not to, they laughed. The patter of being laughed at or ignored carried on into my worklife in an office. I stuck up for my rights whether it was wanting the window open in the office when everyone was smoking and I wanted some fresh air. I was not the most popular person in the world but I stayed true to who I was.

Am I the only person in the world that realises if we help ourselves we will move forward, but if we stand around with our hands outstretched we will hold ourselves back? It is ok to be different, it is ok to stand out, as long as you know why. There are wolf in sheeps clothing out there, I have met them, so be on the look out and be aware that you can help yourself, and along the way you will receive help, just not forever.

I disagree with how people think that if they had a million dollars their business would be successful and I am happy to tell them that it's ok to have the money to invest in your business but if you have no idea what you are doing, do not enjoy your work, or even, do not build the foundations for your business it will not succeed. People do not want to hear the truth, but I offer it anyway, as I am not a sheep, I do what is right for myself and for the people who ask for my help.

I am still not a sheep, I am a leader and I like being a leader! When I started my business shortly after my 2nd diagnosis of breast cancer I did not have any money for nice clothes visits to the hair or nail salon or stuff like that but I knew that I was passionate about my work and I was true to myself. I care about people and I like to know about them, my listening skills are an asset. I did ask advice from established business owners about my website, logo and other important parts of my business. That did not mean I had to change everything if someone said they did not like my logo or website. I re-evaluated, if needed changed a few things, but ultimately kept most of my ideas because they were different and worked! Once established in the business world I soon discovered that you may not be liked if you do not go with the majority, but I stuck to my guns, I knew if I was right I was right. I do not want to be a sheep, because I feel that you then get stuck in the habit of following and if you get lost you will never find your way. Helping others is something I love to do, but I know when to let them go and fend for themselves. If we were meant to have a sheepdog to show us the way I am sure we would have one by now!

Sheep have a place in this world but I refuse to be one.

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Article Tags: beaten track, cigarettes, envy, follower, foundations, fresh air, friends at school, lack of self esteem, laugh, million dollars, old school, patter, point of view, realises, school friend, sheep, shyness, true friends, wolf in sheeps clothing, worklife



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