Be Humble: My Journey to Success

While on my journey to success I have faced some obstacles and have had some humbling experiences. I got caught up a lot in where I want to be and all of my goals and dreams and I completely kind of forgot about my current reality. I was reminded quickly that I needed to slow down and focus on one thing at a time. Here’s how Instacart humbled me.

At the time I had a decent job in retail working in the ladies shoe department, I was making about $14 an hour plus commission. I absolutely HATED this job, I worked with a lot of older people who constantly argued and bickered over sales and customers. Working in a commission department there were always worries about making quota and making your sales and it was such a competitive and stressful environment and I simply was not here for it. I was a full time student, had now two internships, plus my job. There were days when I would go to my internship from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. take a nap in my car then go to my job from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. and at this point I was just over it. I wanted something new but was comfortable where I was at. I knew I had responsibilities and figured I couldn’t find better with that pay. I just wanted to stop working and go off and follow my dreams and do something beneficial with my life.

One particular day, which was actually a very funny day , the end of my misery quickly approached. I was at work (as always) and I had snuck off to do some work on my computer. You would think being in a constant competitive environment people wouldn’t care that you weren’t working because that means more sales for them, NOT. A couple of my coworkers came over and seen me working on my computer and went and told a manager. The manager came over and asked me what I was doing, I told him I was working on my homework and was submitting literally my last question. He explained that I should be working and not on my computer and that I needed to get off. I said sure no problem I understand let me just submit this and I’ll be right out. I feel like they call it “Homework” for a reason, you can do it at Home or at Work right? Clearly not! Before I could even close my computer he comes over and tells me to go home.

When it came to jobs I didn’t really care for, I was always looking for a way out, so when he told me to go home I’m thinking “Okay great, now is the perfect time for me to quit and go chase your dreams” and at this point I was just completely fed up with constantly being in a negative environment. I never had time to do anything, I did not enjoy what I was doing and it was just time for something new. So I mumbled “ Okay I’ll leave and I won’t be coming back” he just kind of looked at me in disbelief and I gathered my stuff and walked away. It felt good but I knew instantly I had made a mistake. My next scheduled shift I tried to go back to work thinking he didn’t hear me, they aren’t going to fire you, just go back in and explain yourself. I was still holding on to something that was comfortable for me but it wasn’t beneficial to my life.

I try to clock back into work as if nothing happened and as I’m clocking in I notice it did not go through. So I try again and an error message pops up saying “employee has been terminated” L O L! I literally ran out before anyone saw that I just got “fired” that was the end of that job.

The following week is when I went to Atlanta, which wouldn’t have happened if I stayed working where I was because they didn’t want to give me anymore time off (I had just got back from a week vacation for spring break) so it really all worked out for the good anyway. So as you know I’m in Atlanta living it up, still on my high of “I don’t need a job I am just going to follow my dreams” after Atlanta some weeks had passed and funds were running low.

At this point I knew I needed to find a job but decided I only want to work with something that’s career related but in the mean time knew I needed to find something quick. I wanted something flexible so I could still do what I wanted but still get paid. Something like Uber but not Uber because I’m scary and didn’t want people in my car. This is when I came across Instacart, a grocery delivery service job. Originally when I applied for the job I didn’t think I would end up actually working for them, I applied just to say “I’ve been applying for jobs.” Well here we are now as an instacart employee and it has been probably one of the only jobs that I actually enjoy. I know what you’re thinking, Keyana delivers groceries? YES, Keyana delivers groceries lol. This job has really been a blessing in disguise, you make your own hours AND you don’t have to work with anyone but yourself, you don’t have coworkers arguing beside you or a bossy manager telling you what to do, it’s just you, your music and the groceries. I’m thankful for this job because not only does it put money in my pockets but it has allowed me to spend a lot of time by myself and has allowed me to focus on what I want to do and accomplish things I probably couldn’t accomplish if I had a “regular” job.

This story is not about how bad I am with jobs or to promote for instacart but it’s just a reminder that sometimes you just need to be humble, slow down and focus. It’s easy to get carried away in everything you want to do and easy to be distracted. Things will come naturally so don’t try to force it. Also I use it as a reminder to not stay somewhere if it doesn’t make you happy. I always like to say if you don’t love what you are doing why are you doing it? No matter what it is, life is too short to be anything but happy. Money is only temporary, so never chase after money for the fulfillment of your happiness. Though delivering groceries wasn’t my ideal job it has allowed me to do so much, like keeping up with my blog, attending events across the city, and spending time with myself. Everyone has to start off somewhere and it is all a part of my story.

If you’re interested in working with instacart use my referral code KPratt67164 (LOL)