For those of you wondering… Yes, my mother named me after her favorite book/movie Pollyanna.
For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, this 1960’s film featuring Haley Mills shares the story of an orphaned girl who moves in with her aunt. Her infectious positivity influences the people around her to start finding the good in their difficult situations. So if you’ve heard someone say, “Don’t be a Pollyanna”, they’re referring to this story about an overly optimistic girl. Personally, I take offense to that phrase. I’m glad to be a Pollyanna! (Some of you got that. :))
Whether the name determined my destiny or I simply grew into this part of my identity, being optimistic is central to who I am.
How does this apply to my work?
I have taken the CliftonStrengths Assessment several times, and Positivity has been one of my top 5 strengths every single time. For years I underplayed this strength. When work piles up or you have a tough coworker, other strengths like Achiever and Relator have seemed more useful. Now I’m realizing that just isn’t true. Positivity is a very practical strength that I’m proud to have! Here’s why…
Before joining the Know You Project, I worked in college admissions. During that time, I was able to come alongside students as they were preparing for college. Sometimes they felt paralyzed by the weighty decisions ahead of them, like what major to choose or where to go to college. Other times, I talked with students and families who felt overwhelmed with how to navigate the confusing world of financial aid. Each of those situations involved real people, real desires, and real feelings. It’s an honor to enter into those vulnerable places with students and families and become a part of their honest experiences.
But I also realized something. Sometimes in the middle of all the thoughts, feelings, and circumstances, people can be prevented from seeing clearly. This is where positivity enters the scene. It turns the glass-half-empty into the glass-half-full. Positivity helps lift our eyes to see that the road ahead is filled with possibilities, rather than obstacles.
As an educational consultant, I get to facilitate conversations with students and families in an effort to provide direction to what lies beyond graduation. By infusing a perspective of positivity and an outlook of optimism into those conversations, young men and women approach their futures as they should – with confidence and clarity.
We strive to equip clients with the knowledge, support, and customized tools needed to gain forward momentum. 
