Feel the fear, stare that sucker in the face and find your path anyway…….
By admin. Filed in Coaches Blog, Coaching Blog |Tags: achiever, article one, bit rock, confession, frustration, impossible deadlines, introvert, loyal teams, needles in my eyes, pied piper, restaurateur, rock star, shout, shrinking violet, survivor, swag, visionary, wallflower, what on earth, women women
I am A Creator. A Visionary. A Survivor. An Achiever. I have a natural born ability to engage with people in person and I intuitively know how to get the best from them to reach great performance. I thrive under pressure and can deliver genius on impossible deadlines. I am an award winning retailer and restaurateur and have created ££millions of pounds of profits for the businesses I do work for. I create tribes of loyal teams who have followed me from project to project like the pied piper. Customers love what I do and come back for more again and again.
And when I really get my swag on I can even be a little bit Rock Star.
In short, I think I am quite good at what I do.
Oh my God! That was bloody hard to write.
It has taken a while, years in fact, for me to be able to think the thoughts above. Let alone believe them or even say them out loud. I am, after all, a wallflower, a shrinking violet as we say around these parts. I am far more comfortable to let my results do the talking and leave the self-publicity to someone else. I am British for a start and we are all a bit reserved over here don’t you know! It doesn’t appear in our DNA to strut our stuff and shout about our achievements.
It certainly didn’t for me. For a long time I would rather have poked hot needles in my eyes than actually stand up in a room and speak confidently about my achievements. In fact I would rather have not spoken at all. In short here is my confession.
I am an INTROVERT.
An introvert who was permanently STUCK in her own head.
And when asked to write an article, one that would inspire and inform other women, women like you, to keep going in the face of challenge and frustration in your own life and business. Write some words that might encourage and cheer you on and support you in some small way to say yes to the life you truly deserve. What was my first reaction?
Shit! What on earth am I going to say?
What on earth HAVE I got to say, that could possibly help? And by the way, who DO I THINK I am?
Perhaps I should just run away instead and hide myself back under my big, understated, rock.
Oh yes, that feels much better. That’s the plan. I am going to hide my light again. Much safer option.
Oh there you are, pesky little introvert! Great to have you back, I have missed you…
Yep, I have spent a longtime OVERTHINKING it. And whilst my capable brain and abilities have had me achieving great stuff, big results, lots of lovely praise and recognition, I had previously never allowed myself the opportunity to FEEL the ease and flow of allowing myself to go with my gut and intuition and trust the process.
In short, I had made a great career out of standing in my own way for a lot of the time.
And that’s really exhausting.
So, in short, I quit and resolved to change my strategy and choose a different way forward. That took some work and continues to do so. We are all on a journey but the change for me came when I chose to enjoy the ride.
Some key lessons hold me in good stead on the days where I need a swift butt kick to get me back on track and I choose to remember the following:
- Accept where you are in this moment. Don’t judge the past and the future just focus on the now at this present time. In that space you are free to focus on the infinite possibilities open to you and you can find creative solutions much more easily.
- Intuition is a most powerful tool. Listen to your gut feeling and know that the best guide for you is you. Don’t be swayed by daily trivia and stand for what has real worth for you.
- Build and strengthen your support system daily. Develop the key relationships around you, colleagues, friends and family. Trust that you can withstand life’s challenges knowing you are anchored. Every plant has roots to receive nourishment. What are yours?
- Be grateful. For everything you already have. When you start to focus on the good that you already can see, more and more good stuff comes into view.
I have I made it this far and whilst there are lots of bumps in the road the view is still stunning. I am giving myself a pat on the back for keeping moving.
Because secretly I am a little bit Rock Star and I have some great stuff I want to share with the world.
And so, my dear, do you………
Tamsyn Hawkins is an expert in coaching business owners to boost their revenue through branding and marketing. Specializing in creating brand and customer profiles for independent businesses, Tamsyn helps her client organizations identify exactly who they are and teaches them how to authentically represent themselves so they can attract their ideal customers.
Tamsyn has worked in sales and senior leadership roles for top UK companies including Pizza Hut UK, Mothercare, Top Shop, River Island, Gondola Group and New Look, and launched her own consulting business in 2008. Tamsyn teaches independent entrepreneurs how to craft their company image so they can engage with their customers on a personal level, foster brand loyalty, and create stronger, more profitable relationships with their clientele.
