I have two sisters that have college degrees. One sister has two masters and other is working towards her bachelor (So proud). Me? I only have my nail tech license.  

There are times when I feel my career is less important because I don't have a college education. I've played with the idea of going to college on and off in my adult life. I even went for a few semesters right out of high school. But it wasn't for me then, and it's not for me now. So why then do I still feel like I need a formal education to be successful?  

Recently, I decided to give serious consideration to the differences between having a college education or a votech education. What I have discovered (surprise surprise) is that when you look beyond the words printed on some fancy paper, our worlds are not so different.  

My sisters have had internships, I have training with clients on the floor. They have studied from books, I have studied from books. I have practiced on nails, they have practiced by writing term papers. They have taken courses, while I have taken continuing education classes. I have cried because I didn't think I could handle it all, they have cried because they thought they couldn't handle it all. 

Sounds familiar, huh?  Don't tell my sisters I said this, but we actually have a lot in common. They study, they practice and spend time working to make themselves better; and so do I. None of us have taken the road more traveled and none of us have become super successful over night. All three of us have worked extremely hard for what we have accomplished and all three of us are successful in that we don't quit. We also all love what we do, and really, isn't that the most important part?  

So the next time you feel like your fancy piece of paper isn't as good as someone else's fancy piece of paper, stop and reflect. If you love what you're doing, then maybe it's time to stop playing the comparison game and start focusing on your own journey. CHEERS!