Let's LEAD - July 2022
It's so easy to forget...
AND I remember:
- never wearing shoes unless I had to,
- climbing the pine tree at my best friend Lori's house...still barefoot...then going home with feet covered in sap, and
- riding EVERYWHERE on my 3-speed bike...again, barefoot on those spiked pedals. OUCH!
I can remember my feet burning on our black asphalt driveway. Today, my feet are a mess and it was totally worth it...on most days.
There's a level of fearlessness that a young child has, and this time of year reminds me when we couldn't wait for Summer and everything that comes with it: pools, parks, picnics...FUN!
Then we grow up, and our fears grow too.
How can we regain that sense of fearlessness? Maybe with a pinch of confidence...
We're half-way through the year, and half-way through the Self-Leadership model, so let's recap what we've learned so far, shall we?
In the last six months, we've built our Self-Awareness, expanded our Self-Knowledge, and practiced Self-Acceptance.
This month and next, we'll talk about Self-Regard...the fuel that drives our forward movement toward our goals. Our confidence grows and our self-doubt diminishes as we acknowledge who we are and what we contribute in ALL areas of our lives.
As I worked to develop my Self-Leadership, I noticed how my fears seemed to shrink...the fears that used to keep me from trying new things became fewer and far between.
At the same time, my comfort zone started to grow, making space for new experiences, both personally and professionally.
I was recently asked what one gains from developing their Self-Leadership. After rattling off all the 'correct' answers, it came to me.
Freedom.
Freedom from our stories. Freedom from undue pressure. Freedom from who we THINK we're supposed to be.
When we're confident, we're more likely to move TOWARD opportunities...not back away from them. AND...we're willing to help others do the same.
So...am I fearless?
Let's put it this way: I find myself saying 'yes' to what I want and 'no' to what I don't, without second-guessing my decisions. It's freeing.
As leaders, what does this sense of confidence and freedom create...for ourselves AND our team?
Check out this video:
3 Tips - A recipe for confidence
"Confidence comes from a Latin word 'fidere' which means "to trust"; therefore, having self-confidence is having trust in one's self." -- Wikipedia
The 'self' is like a stew...many of us have a family recipe that at some point (finally), we make our own. Maybe we're bored with the 'same old thing' and are ready to substitute unhealthy ingredients, like negative beliefs and unhelpful stories with more healthy ones, like positive emotions and new, supportive beliefs.
So what do you need to add to create the perfect recipe for your new, more confident 'self?'
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Gather your ingredients. Your values, your strengths, your talents gifts and superpowers...pull them all together! These are the personal elements that make you uniquely YOU.
Now, do you need to use them all at the same time? Nope! Maybe today's recipe demands some stronger spices, while tomorrow's requires some that are rarely used. The idea is to know when to use the right ingredients for the best outcome.
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Plan a potluck. What amazing dishes are others willing to share? I've got my 'go to' recipes, the ones I can always count on.
So do others! What can you count on others to bring to the table? What strengths, talents and gifts do they have that compliment (or make up for) yours? How might yours compliment theirs?
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Sprinkle in some humility. Yikes! Too much salt. The same is true with self-confidence...too much and it shows up as arrogance. YES, acknowledge your strengths and your part in the success of the project. AND, remember to also acknowledge how you got there and who helped. Give credit where credit is due...including to yourself.
Bottom line: I know what I'm good at and the contributions I make...my strengths, talents and gifts...and what I'm NOT good at. Confidence is a blend of all of it.
A magic blend...now get cookin'!
Cool Resources
What I'm reading (articles, books*):
Still reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. Another reason to develop confidence...if I BELIEVE I can change bad habits into good ones, I have a higher chance of success...
*I use Amazon links (no affiliate relationship); please check with your book retailer of choice
Quote:
"Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence." --Vince Lombardi
...and something more:
Here's a confidence booster...
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