Hector vs his confidence

 Hector sat at his desk, staring at the screen in front of him, his fingers hovering above the keyboard. For months, he had been toying with the idea of becoming a digital advertising consultant for large companies, a career he dreamed of ever since he’d first discovered the power of online marketing. He knew he had the skills, the drive, and the passion, but something held him back.

He glanced at his reflection in the window, watching the sunlight filter through the leaves of the tree outside. His dreadlocks, still in the early stages, framed his face like a work-in-progress. He had always admired the freedom and individuality that dreadlocks represented, but today, they seemed like an obstacle. Would potential clients see him as too unconventional? Would they take him seriously if his appearance didn’t fit the mold of the typical corporate consultant?

He had read articles about successful entrepreneurs, all polished and primed for business meetings, with crisp suits and perfectly styled hair. Hector was far from that. His hair was still growing, a bit wild, not yet the smooth, well-kept locs that he imagined they would become. He wondered if his appearance would turn potential clients away, and whether waiting for the “right time” when his look was perfected, when he felt he was fully prepared. That would be the key to his success.

The more Hector waited for the “right time,” the more frustrated he became. His dreams felt just out of reach, like a mirage. The pressure to fit into a particular image, the belief that he needed to wait for things to fall into place, was weighing on him. He watched countless others take the plunge, they had what he didn’t: polished presentations, immaculate resumes, and an image that screamed professionalism.

One day, after weeks of overthinking, Hector found himself scrolling through his favorite social media platform, his mind still cluttered with doubts. A post caught his eye. It a quote from someone he admired, a digital marketing entrepreneur: “The first step is the most important one. Even if you don’t have everything figured out, take it. The world reveals itself as you go.”

It struck a chord with him. What if waiting for the perfect moment was the very thing holding him back? What if it wasn’t about being polished and perfect but about having the courage to step into the unknown? His dreadlocks weren’t a hindrance; they were a part of who he was, unique, bold, and unapologetic. Why hide that?

That evening, Hector sat down with a cup of coffee and took the first step. He set up his business website, crafted a simple yet authentic profile, and pitched his services to three companies, despite his insecurities about his appearance. His proposal wasn’t perfect, but it was honest, direct, and full of passion. He even included a picture of himself, hair in its messy, growing phase, because that was who he was, and he wasn’t going to hide it.

To his surprise, one of the companies responded the very next day, eager to talk. They didn’t care about his appearance; they cared about his expertise and his approach to digital marketing. Hector realized that the “right time” had never been about waiting until everything aligned perfectly. It was about taking that first step, no matter how imperfect it might seem.

A month later, Hector had signed his first contract with a major client, and his confidence soared. His dreadlocks had grown into something he was proud of, but more importantly, he had embraced who he was, someone ready to make a difference, not by waiting for the perfect moment, but by taking action when it mattered most.

And as for the next step? It came naturally.