What Puts The Spring In Your Step? Be Your Own BFF!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure……Your playing small does not serve the world.
Marianne Williamson

I was at my Toastmasters Club the other night and one of the members said to me that they really liked my article about “Taking A Risk”.  I could feel the warm energy of enthusiasm pour into my body.  I could actually feel myself slowly standing taller and the chest swell with pride.  I’m sure if I wasn’t in a public place I would have skipped around the room in delight.

Words of encouragement from someone you admire are like the elixir of life.  We drink them up and bask in their warm glow.  They help us to keep striving.  They help us to overcome our own resistance and fear.

Yet, we fail to do the same for ourselves.

Every week, I write my articles and every week I grapple with my own sense of inadequacy.  I hear the discussion in my head.  “Come on Denise!  Who are you kidding?  No one wants to read what you have to say.  You are wasting your time.  Just stop! It doesn’t matter.”

What would my best friend say to me if they heard me say this to myself.  I’m sure they would say to me.  “Stop talking to yourself like that, Denise.  You love writing.  It’s important to you so keep going.  I like reading what you write.  It helps me deal with my life and challenges.  I don’t have the time to write so I need you to keep going.  Don’t stop!”

What are the qualities that you admire in your Best Friend Forever – BFF?

They listen, and they challenge your thinking.  They are kind and encouraging.  They make you laugh at yourself.  They are happy when you achieve.  They celebrate with you.  They mop up your tears when you are sad or feel that you have failed.  Their enthusiasm for you helps you to take the next step and you feel confident to take it because they are on your side.  There is a spring in your step as you go through life.

I wonder why we can’t do all of this for ourselves.

What would happen if we told ourselves every day that we are powerful beyond measure as in the quote from Marianne Williamson?  How about “I’m not good enough……YET.  I just have to keep striving and practicing.”  Then there is capturing ourselves doing amazing things and celebrating.  Noting the kind words you said to someone, and relishing the smile on their face and the change in their stance.  Smiling at a stranger and seeing their face light up at the human recognition.

Remembering that any new project or learning takes time, effort and staying power and giving yourself a break when your first steps are wobbly or not up to the image in your head.  Say the words of encouragement to you.  Be kind and helpful to you.  Savour your success.

I’m sure if you adopted a little of this for you, you may find that you are doing what Marianne Williamson suggests further in her quote – “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Find what puts the spring in your step and use it to become your own BFF.

I’m sure your self-confidence will soar and you will be powerful beyond measure for you and everyone around you.

Self-confidence is an essential ingredient for a leader.  My Women’s Empowerment and Leadership program can assist.  Come along and take the opportunity to explore your most important person – you.

My next program is scheduled for 9th and 10th August 2018.  Please contact me to discuss.

Always happy for comments too.