You May Not Be Them, But Here is How to Get Their Edge

By: Maria McGlone 

Whether you’ve seen “that girl” trends on TikTok and Pinterest, or have someone in your life that seems to “have it all together,” you probably have a pretty good grasp of who that person is. Urban dictionary defines that girl as “a girl (or any gender) that gets up at 5am, meditates, drinks smoothies, showers everyday, journaling, eating only healthy foods, goes to gym everyday and is successful in many ways” (Urban dictionary).

“That girl” is the ideal specimen. People are jealous of her. They point to her to explain what they wish they could be. She is more a symbol than anything else, so unreal and almost mythical. You may not be her or even believe in her, but here is how to attain her success and make your life what you want it to be, whether that involves early morning workouts and smoothies, or not.

1. Take a personality test
   Search personality tests on the web and you will find a plethora of Buzzfeed’s “which disney character are you?” or “if you were a pie, which pie would you be?” quizzes. While these can be informative and certainly are entertaining, taking a personality test such as 16Personalities test might be one of the best ways to get to know your strengths and weaknesses. You can be your own worst enemy and the best way to stay out of your way is to study yourself. Being aware of your tendencies gives you agency over them.
2. Enroll in a soft-skills training course on SimplySuccess.com
   Invest in yourself by learning soft skills (skills that are applicable to any profession)! Success Training Institute offers bite-size (8 minutes or less) training in emotional intelligence, communication, time-management, leadership, and much more. Their website includes a series of personal assessments, measurable skills gains, soft skills certifications. Soft skills are known to increase workplace productivity as well as income. According to indeed.com “soft skills help you build relationships and solve problems to use your hard skills to their full extent” (https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/why-are-soft-skills-important).
3. Practice Interviewing
   In order to have the confidence and firm handshake that will get you your next job, you need practice with representing yourself well. If you are a college student, your school may even offer workshops at their career center. If not, don’t fret. Conduct a practice interview with a friend, parent, or trusted adult. Practice makes perfect!
4. Take care of your body
   When you take care of your body, your body takes care of you! If you deplete yourself of rest and nutrients, your work will soon become depleted as well. Thinking burns calories so be sure to fuel your mind and body. My advice for not burning out? Get on a regular sleep schedule, find movement you love, and drink plenty of water! Try carrying a water bottle with you and see how staying hydrated changes the way you feel throughout the work day (plus with a full bladder you will get plenty of work breaks to clear your head).

You will never be someone else, but you can certainly attain a unique professional edge to guide you through all the ups and downs of your academic, work, and personal life.