Sitemap

Member-only story

The Second-Best Mistake I Ever Made

…and the Importance of Embracing a Growth Mindset

3 min readJan 30, 2024

--

Have you ever made a mistake that, at the time, felt like the wrong turn on your life’s journey, but in hindsight, turned out to be a pivotal moment leading you to unexpected success? I’ve certainly had my share of such experiences, and today, I want to share with you the story of the second-best mistake I ever made (perhaps we’ll save the best mistake for another day).

Press enter or click to view image in full size
Dominos falling toward an egg that is upright at the edge of a table.
Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash

As many of you know, I began my career as a high school math teacher. It seemed like a noble path, but it quickly became apparent that it wasn’t the right fit for me. The stress and demands took a toll on my physical and mental well-being. It was tough, and I immediately questioned my life choices.

But here’s the twist — without that huge mistake, I would never have made the career pivot that led me to where I am today. I transitioned into the tech industry by becoming a software engineer. Through a series of strategic job moves and salary negotiations, I doubled my teacher’s salary in just two years, and in less than five years, I tripled it.

My journey didn’t stop there. I discovered my passion in helping other Black women navigate career transformations, negotiate higher salaries, and embrace their own potential. This experience embodies the essence of a…

--

--

‘Tine Zekis
‘Tine Zekis

Written by ‘Tine Zekis

Christine (‘Tine) Zekis is an author, international speaker, software engineer, and the Founder & CEO of Getting Black Women Paid