The Value of Valuing Yourself | with Sheldon Simeon
Celebrating the skills and successes of others often comes naturally. We are quick to encourage those we care about and remind them that they possess the ability to achieve their goals. But, how often do we extend the same recognition and encouragement to ourselves?
It can be challenging to value ourselves the same way that we value others.
So, the next time you’re doubting yourself, give this a try: imagine a life where you embrace your true worth and capabilities.
By recognizing your true worth, you can gain a deeper understanding of your strengths, talents, and unique qualities. This recognition serves as a solid foundation for personal growth and empowerment, allowing you to pursue your aspirations with confidence and tenacity.
The journey to self-belief can transform your world. Chef Sheldon Simeon's story is a testament to this transformative power. By embracing his unique talents and believing in himself, Simeon turned a unique opportunity into a defining moment of his career.
The Humble Beginnings
Simeon’s story illustrates the importance of valuing yourself and the unique things that you bring to the table. At the start of his culinary journey, Simeon moved to Maui, where he enrolled in the Maui Culinary Academy. While in school, he picked up a job as a prep cook at Aloha Mixed Plate, a casual, local eatery in Lahaina.
Chef Sheldon Simeon in the kitchen.
Simeon’s work ethic of simply, “putting your head down and working” carried him up the restaurant’s ladder, going from dishwasher to line cook to sous chef and, eventually, the head chef of Aloha Mixed Plate.
After a few years, Simeon was invited to be the opening chef for a new restaurant, Star Noodle. Despite his skills, Sheldon continued to downplay his successes and capabilities.
Seizing the Opportunity
One day at the new restaurant, Simeon’s dishwasher called in sick. Despite being Star Noodle’s head chef, Simeon did not hesitate to get his hands dirty. He filled in as the dishwasher for the day, simultaneously overseeing the restaurant and ensuring that things ran smoothly.
But, even for such a hardworking man, Simeon was stretched thin. So, when a hostess informed him that someone was on the phone for him, he dismissed it as a low priority, considering the backlog of orders and the dishes piling up in the dish pit.
But the hostess insisted that Simeon should take the call.
Reluctantly, Simeon left the chaos of the kitchen, where he was greeted with a surprise. The caller was from the casting crew for the reality TV cooking show, Top Chef. Simeon was shocked that he had garnered such attention, especially when he considered himself just a local, Hawaiʻi kid who knew how to cook.
To him, Top Chef was for superstars – the best of the best – and he didn’t feel like a superstar. The thought of competing on Top Chef while also representing Hawaiʻi was a burden he was unprepared for.
He knew people would be watching, he knew people would be rooting for him. What if he failed?
Grappling with his doubts, Simeon came to this realization:
There is great value in valuing yourself.
If the Top Chef casting team saw him as a good contestant, shouldn’t he see himself that way too? It’s true that Simeon didn’t have a Michelin Star or luxury culinary flair, but he recognized that his value lay in his unique experiences and accomplishments as a hardworking chef from Hawai’i.
In his words: “Hard work gets rewarded.” And although scary, this opportunity was his award.
After going through the interviewing process, Simeon earned a spot on the show.
His Top Chef journey concluded as the runner up in the competition! This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his rise to prominence.
Achieving Greatness
Simeon’s success on Top Chef was not just about winning a competition; it was about proving to himself that he was capable of greatness. By embracing his unique background and trusting in himself, he transformed his self-doubt into confidence.
After returning home to his humble roots, Simeon spent time traveling throughout the United States, working at various food events, making other television appearances, and expanding his network. Since then, Simeon has continued to thrive in the Hawaiʻi restaurant scene.
He attributes his success to hard work, dedication, and self-confidence. His newfound self-belief propelled him to open two acclaimed Maui restaurants, Tin Roof and Tiffany’s Maui.
The Power of Self-Belief
Simeon’s journey underscores a vital lesson: your belief in yourself is the catalyst for achieving extraordinary things. Instead of letting his doubts hold him back, Simeon chose to invest in himself and his professional skills by accepting a spot on Top Chef.
By removing the limiting beliefs in his mind, he created space for courage and action. Simeon reminds us that:
“You can do amazing things beyond what your mind thinks that you can do. Sometimes you’re going to be doubting yourself. You just have to push through that. Just go over that threshold, and you’ll be amazed by what you see.”
So, what’s holding you back? What’s keeping you from pushing past that threshold?
Remove those self-imposed limits and step into your full potential. The power of believing in yourself can break barriers and open doors to opportunities you never thought possible!
Self-belief is the key for lasting, continued success. Embrace your worth and capabilities, and let your journey to self-belief transform your world.
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