Tag: courage to change

  • The World is Waiting: How to Build Self Confidence to Be Seen

    The World is Waiting: How to Build Self Confidence to Be Seen

    “You can keep as quiet as you like, but one of these days somebody is going to find you.” ― Haruki Murakami

    Quora Question: What are you hiding from the world?

    I am a planner person. I love the washi tape and stickers and all that crafty, creativity stuff!  I used to run an Esty shop and sell my items at craft shows, so when I sit down to work on my planner, I usually have it all laid out on the living room floor. Recently, when I had all my crafting stuff out to update my planner and my husband was upstairs, I could hear him getting ready to come downstairs and my first reaction was to gather up all my things.  As I started to, the first thought that popped in my head was “stop hiding.”

    Ask yourself… what are you hiding from the world?

    I can’t speak for others, but as a child of an alcoholic parent and a young girl who grew up in an area where there weren’t many others who looked like me, you try not to bring attention to yourself. It wasn’t until a few years ago, that I realized my opinions and feelings mattered.  I didn’t learn anything about self-care until I was in my forties.  That’s a long time to stay in a hiding place. 

    As I continue to come out of my hiding space, I am learning more about who I am and what I want, and I encourage you to come out of your hiding place too!

    Our “wounds have wisdom” as Oprah Winfrey often says.  What I am learning along this journey is our experiences can be lessons for us and blessing for others. Here are some practices that have helped me thus far:

    1. Meditation.  I sign up for the free meditation programs that Deepak Chopra offers. You can also search YouTube for guided meditation practices if this of interest to you. I like the guided meditations in the beginning because they helped me stay focused.
    2. Reading.  Anything you are interested in learning is available in a book, an eBook, or an audiobook.  Reading helped me to realize, I am not alone.  Many of the personal struggles we are dealing with, have been encountered by others who chose to share how they overcame and can be a source of inspiration for you.
    3. Walking or Exercise. Getting up and moving is a great way to shift your energy.  I say it helps to get the “gunk” out of our system.  It’s like taking your car our on the highway and opening it up.
    4. Join a group.  There are several great groups that you can connect with in-person as well and virtually.  
    5. Journal.  I started journaling years ago, but I never stayed consistent.  What I found that can help is keeping the journal in my sights. If I see it, I am reminded to pick it up and write.
    6. Blog.  Share your story with others.  You may hold the key to unlocking someone else’s breakthrough.
    7. Have Grace with Yourself.  Your life is a marathon not a sprint. Take time to sit and get to know who you are.  You are worth it!

    Quote Source: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/hiding

    Thank you for taking time out to read this post. I would love to learn more about who you are and what you do. Feel free to connect with me through a Meetup group.

    1. Confident Strides Women’s Empowerment Network https://bit.ly/CSWENMeetup
    2. Confident Strides Personal Development Network Group https://bit.ly/CSPDNMeetup
    3. Confident Strides Women’s Professional Network https://bit.ly/CSWPNMeetup
    4. Confident Strides Entrepreneurs Network https://bit.ly/CSENMeetup

    To connect with me: https:///confidentstrides

  • You are Greater Than This

    You are Greater Than This

    “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” – John Wayne

    The biggest step I took that changed my life was the day I quit my job. 19499673_sIt was December of 2011, I was listening to Katy Perry’s “Firework “on my way to work and was balling like a big old baby. I knew I had to make a change in my life but I was a wife and a mother of three with financial obligations. Something said you can’t keep living like this, you are miserable with you job.  I finally got the nerve up to go into Human Resources and put my two weeks’ notice in.  I had no real idea what I planned on doing but one thing for sure was I was not going to keep working the same job I had done for almost 25 years through the military and private sector.  Many people offered their opinions about my actions but for some strange reason, I felt I was where I needed to be doing exactly what it was I was doing.  At that time I didn’t know that some people would call that a “calling”.  My life hit some rough patches during 2012 through 2013. It wasn’t until 2014 that things started to fall into place. By now, I had my social media business for 2 years with no real growth.  You may be asking yourself, how is that falling into place? Let me explain.

    I had one client sign on with me in 2013. 576674_401405473235080_420286707_nDuring that time we both were in a transitional period of our lives.  He signed on with me in 2013 as a client. He had asked me to trust him and that he would do all that we could do to make his dreams come true and that if he made it, we both would make it.  I committed myself to support his dreams by doing what I did best, helping him with his social media presence.

    The biggest shift in my business was when my priorities changed.  From 2013 to 2014 my business mindset shifted from sales to service.  I looked forward to meeting potential clients with aspirations in helping them grow their business. It made such a difference knowing I had something valuable to offer.  I realized that when people work to build the relationship the money will follow. chasing_clients I know I am not where I want to be in career but I can honestly say I’m enjoying the journey.

    As I look back on that period of my life, I know that without experiencing the loss and heartache I went through, I would not be who and where I am now.  The test was in the trial.  I trust in something greater than myself and remain open to the possibilities. Here are three things I have learned along the way that I would love to share with you.

    1. Keep going no matter how hard it gets.
    2. Discover your gifts and put them to work.
    3. Everyone has a story; share your vision with the world.