For many years I have feared to say what I really wanted to say.
I had always softened my message with humour, kindness and respect but often, I may have weakened it so as to not cause offence.
During the 2018 Christmas break, I listened to Brene Brown on YouTube; first in her talk to creative people in a conference called ’99u’ and then her TED Talk that went viral.
You can see the 99u here and her TEDx here. (Thanks again to Angela at Whipbird Creative for another excellent tip-off.)
It was all very healing for me and awakened in me a drive for what I feel needs to be said and renewed my passion to set a few things right in the world.
I also noticed the current trend for Marie Kondo’s minimalism and the concept of only keeping what sparks joy. How often do we do that with our words and opinions or are we just repeating what we are fed in the media? Is it time to declutter our communication also?
Just how many times have I put up with the opinions of others who have risked nothing and just went along with whatever is presented for the sake of peace or the desire to not disturb the status quo?
In 2019, I would like to be braver and escape that horrible gnawing feeling I get after an unfair compromise. I want to stand by my thoughts instead of selling out of my beliefs.
I will no longer be intimidated by another’s reaction to my right to a well-considered opinion. I intend to ‘put it out there’ regardless of what happens.
“If you’re not also in the arena getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback” – Brene Brown
I have a real desire to add value to others lives and I know that what I say is delivered with respect and humility. I savour the mentoring role and spend a lot of energy in trying to impart a vision, so that students develop an appetite for success and self-understanding.
I know that I do not have everything right and that I am on a journey of discovery like everyone else of which I have not reached the final arrival. But in a world of everyone sprouting the desire to be ‘themselves’ why are we so scared of being ourselves?
Remember that being different is your biggest asset and you don’t have to be like everyone else. If you need a career coach, drop me an email or private message today to get you on the right track.
I leave the last word to a great man, Teddy Roosevelt.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat”.
Teddy Roosevelt