Someone needs to hear this today.
I have this in the back of my mind ALL the time. We live in an age where social media allows us to hide our real identity or hide behind the physical distance that form of ‘socialising’ allows. It is safer than ever to boo from the side lines, to make unkind and hurtful comments.
When we step out to speak up, to be seen, we are vulnerable. It is not about the winning or losing that is important, it is about giving it YOUR best shot, and that takes COURAGE.
For me, I find my courage in my values and purpose. When I know what I am doing is aligned with my values and my purpose, it is MUCH easier to speak up and be heard.
I’m an introvert. I’m an INFJ in the Myers Briggs test. I find doing videos and recordings stressful and exhausting. I love teaching in person or online, but I find recording difficult for some reason. Before I start, I often remember this quote. I think to myself “it might not be perfect, I might be ridiculed, but I’m in the field, getting dirty, and if what I am producing helps just one person, then it is worth it.” I do a lot of my work for that one person.
You might also have noticed that in my stories I promote a lot of other therapist’s work. I do that because I am an advocate. I am an advocate for mental health and wellbeing. For me, this means promoting other people in the field. They are not my ‘competition’, they are trying to do the same thing as me, improve mental health and wellbeing globally, so even though I have never met them, they are on my side. They are in the arena with me, getting dirty, advocating.
So many of you reading this have a story, have a message and a yearning. Maybe today is the day to get into the arena?
Reference: Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead. Random House: London, UK.