In the Inside Living Savvy series, I'll be sharing my experience of creating an online lifestyle program for women aspiring to live extraordinary lives. Join me for a peek behind the scenes.
"Are you sure they're not blowing smoke up my skirt?"
This was my question to a dear friend, one I could trust would be absolutely honest with me. I'd just returned from a meeting with the fabulous PR team who would ultimately help me launch Living Savvy. They believed in the vision 100%, and wanted to feature me in a lead role. Yet, I had doubts — about the project, about my ability to be its spokesperson, even about the positive and supportive responses I was receiving.
Time for a reality check
"Of course not Jo, everyone's telling you it's a great concept because it is!"
That was my friend's wonderful reply. As I reflected on the many conversations I had had, not just with family and friends, but with respected and experienced professionals from across the industry, I realised that the most negative feedback was coming from me. In my mind, and in my language with others, I was running down my ideas, my capabilities and my experience. Although I really wanted it, and some part of me suspected I could make it happen, my fears were so loud they were drowning out almost everything else. Miraculously, somehow, these wonderful people could see through this, right through to the heart of me and my vision.
Embracing possibility
Is it possible that complete strangers can see you more clearly than you can see yourself? Perhaps it's because they're unaware of those old stories playing on repeat in your mind, or those old judgments about the 'kind of person' you are, or the old wounds that keep you fearful of treading new paths. They see you as you are now, in this moment. I wondered how it would feel to be the confident, visionary person everyone else saw me as, and I made a decision to try it out. I chose not to listen to the negative tape playing in my head, and I dropped the 'weasel' words and phrases that peppered my conversations. Phrases such as:
- It's just my point of view …
- I was thinking maybe …
- It might be …
- … but I don't know for sure.
The transformation was extraordinary. I felt as though I was truly inhabiting my own skin, exploring everything I could be, and loving every minute of it! And when the Living Savvy launch day arrived, and everyone was asking if I was nervous, I was surprised to realise that my answer was “no”. I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be — and I was there as my true self. It was a powerful moment.
Your turn
Tell me, how do you see yourself? How do others see you? What's the difference? What can you do today to "try on" a more positive view of yourself?
Related posts:
- Inside Living Savvy: How To Launch A Big Project Without Burning Out – Part 2
- Inside Living Savvy: How To Launch A Big Project Without Burning Out – Part 1
- Inside Living Savvy: How I keep going when I’m scared witless
- Inside Living Savvy: When do you say 'yes' and when do you say 'no'?
- Living Savvy Episode #8: Cat takes drastic action
