Is it time for you to step up and be YOUR brilliant self?

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said ‘To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.’

Ari* leads a team of forty, has incredible technical skills and yet people don’t feel they know him. Ari explained to me that his very strong professional boundaries came from the need to be a ‘good’ manager. Ironically, his leadership suffered because people felt they didn’t know him.Results of his 360 feedback included that he was a ‘mystery’ and to ‘share something about yourself – people want to know who you are and that you are vulnerable and human too’.

One theme that has come through a number of recent workshops I have facilitated has been people limiting their own horizons. Through a lack of willingness and confidence to step into their own power, people are creating smaller versions of themselves. Nobody wins from this.

We all know the story of the Ugly Duckling. Despite trying so hard, he was an ugly duckling. And yet he was a beautiful swan.

Only you can be YOU… Because only you have your unique set of experiences, competencies, values and beliefs.

Julie-Ann knows this. She and her family have long held a dream of travelling around Australia. In late January they will pack in their jobs, box up their house, and hit the road. What Julie knows best is how to be truly Julie, so it’s not just any road trip! This picture is of the ‘Big Bus’ Julie and her family have been restoring since December 2012. (You can see more at http://bigbusblog.blogspot.com.au).

What dreams could you enable if you stepped up to be your brilliant self?

As you reflect on 2013, ask yourself:
• Where have I truly been me? Celebrate those successes.
• Where could I have been more of me? What might have been gained if I was? Who might have benefited if I stepped up?

Will ‘Be the best version of me’ be one of your New Year’s Resolutions for 2014?

Your thoughts? Leave a comment below.

Have an Extraordinary day
Corrinne

* Real client – not his real name.