There is a time in our lives when we
begin to shave off parts of who we are. The time is never just once, though. It
comes again and again, as we turn a corner in our lives, as we are presented
with a new environment or risk, as we stumble down the path into new
terrain.
We ask ourselves, “Which spectrum should I show? What is
acceptable? And what will allow me to navigate this new terrain without getting
embarrassed, ridiculed or vilified?”
Whether you are entering kindergarten,
high school or university as a student or a new teacher/professor, whether you
are entering a family as an in-law or coming into a company, community or club
as a new player, whether you are planning a party or an event or a wedding, trying on clothes or shopping for furniture, beginning an art project or an entrepreneurial business venture, this question is always present.
Those who succeed are those who look
within first before looking to evaluate themselves via the status quo. Nothing
great was ever born from copying others or from abandoning who we truly are. We can look left and right to learn, but ultimately, what drives that
inimitable energy will come from within–what I call the Through Line.
You know you’re on the right path when
you feel joy instead of fear. There’s no doubt you need to challenge yourself (I have only to look at my foray into social media to know that’s true!), but if you are getting advice from people who make you feel worse,
it’s a good sign you’ve got the wrong mentor; if you are losing energy as you
pursue an activity, it’s a good sign this is not your sweet spot (in other
words, reevaluate or delegate); and if you are pursuing a business plan that
drains you of passion, well, it’s a good sign this is not the best approach.
The power of your Through Line, of your
most noble and pure intention, is mind-boggling. Don’t dim your light by
copying others or hiding what makes you unique.
That super-sized full moon was blazing the March 19 weekend because it was reflecting light from the sun. The unbelievable
blue-white glow was the result of light bouncing off a rock and dust surface. So take that as a sign of how powerful original light can be.
(Just imagine if the moon were made of
tinfoil…we’d be blinded.)
In the last few weeks, I’ve presented keynotes in 3 different countries to over 5,000 people in
companies ranging from Insurance (Great-West Life) to Vitamins/Herbal Supplements (Nature’s Sunshine), IT (Datatel) to
Healthcare (Atlantic Health), and without fail, those people who are succeeding in each of those
groups are those who embrace this approach–each in their own style.
Of course, there will be naysayers along
the way, but just remember this: people who stand in your way only create
shadows. And if those shadows are big enough, eventually people will look
around to see where that light is coming from: YOU.
(c) Victoria Labalme Communications, LLC. All Rights
Reserved.