Seriously…
I can't tell you the last time I felt so inspired to put a blog out.
When I first started writing blogs, about eight years ago, I would get a "bubbling" in my chest and pour out my ideas pretty much as is, no filter, and send them out into the ether. They came from my heart and I didn't worry about what people might think. I knew they would resonate with those people who were looking for real and authentic content. Somewhere along the way, I don't know exactly when, I started to feel that this wasn't "appropriate" and I started to conform to what I thought others would approve of...Until today.
This past weekend I put out a video of a blooper of one of my Confidence Tip Tuesday videos**. This is something I never would have done in the past because I didn't want anyone to think that I didn't know what the heck I was doing...the idea that I've got my s*** together... which, let's face it, none of us do! It made me laugh because being able to take myself more "lightly" was liberating. So freeing.
This is my post today... my blog for you!
What I'm discovering more and more is that confidence is the willingness to show up as yourself, perfectly imperfect.
In my world, confidence:
Is a mindset.
Doesn't mean having it all figured out.
Means that you're willing to feel fear and be brave enough to take a step anyway.
Means trusting yourself and your instincts and being okay with being wrong sometimes.
How about you?
What's your definition or experience of being confident?
Generally, I've always been pretty guarded about showing myself as anything less than professional. Primarily because I had the cloud of "what will they think" looming over my head. I'm learning that being "professional" is being human. What a concept.
I'm doing the work to become more myself and I'm discovering that I can be pretty silly. This doesn't mean I'm not competent at what I do, it just means I'm human. If you're a leader and you're reading this, I want to tell you hands down, people want to see your humanity. They don't want perfection, they want real. The best boss (besides myself!) I ever had - shout out to Sarah - showed up in a real human way and she was so respected for that. It was her example that allowed us to be human too, so just a tip, when you're leading people, they don't want to see your perfection...they want to see your humanity.
Are you ready?
Let’s get to it…
Your challenge…
Consider the following:
Where are you taking yourself way too seriously?
There's a time and place for sure. Assess.
Is it really that important to worry about perfection and what people are going to think?
People love your humanity, it gives them permission to be human too.
People want to see more of who you are.
Again. Time and place. And...I'm going to wager that there are plenty of times you could let your guard down. Start noticing.
I'm finding my footing again. So you're gonna see more of me. Real. Authentic. Silly. Maybe messy at times. Kinda like I am in person. That's my goal. This is who I am and it is my hope that by modeling this you'll reconnect with your real, authentic not so serious self.
I'm a few steps ahead of you, shining some light on the breadcrumb trail for you... Contact me Let's play a bit in the muck!
Warmly,
Ann
Stop taking yourself so seriously. Seriously…