If there is one thing I believe without question, there is something very powerful inside each of us. We are all destined to do great things in our own way. Yet, in today's world, we find ourselves subject to the laws of conformity: "Don't stand out too much! Don't be too much this or that! Don't speak too loudly!" and the list goes on. Pleasantville was a comedy movie, not a desirable destination.
Why does this happen? Why do we pull each other down versus lifting each other up to celebrate each person's rugged uniqueness? Standing out draws negative attention, so many will stop doing whatever it is. Or perhaps it is the spirit of competition that drives this behavior—we yank the other person down to our level so they can't get ahead. "Do what you do best, but not too much." Nobody wins in this scenario, and it's out of congruence with the person we are meant to be. How different would our work be if we supported and encouraged each other to be our authentic selves and march to our own beat?
Those who have it in them to rage against the machine stand out because their drive to unleash their power is so great. Or perhaps it is because conformity is too painful. These leaders will not play by someone else's set of rules and go along with the crowd. They will go above and beyond, and they will chart their own course. This is the heart of boldness.
What is BOLDNESS?
It is the willingness to take risks and act innovatively. It is possessing confidence or courage.
Are you living your boldness? Or are you still working to uncover what your boldness is?
Here are the six essential questions to ask:
1) What am I here to achieve?
2) What am I destined to do?
3) What matters most to me? What do I value?
4) How have I leveraged my power and potential?
5) How could I further unleash my potential?
6) If I knew I wouldn't fail, what is the most significant leap I could take?
You may not have the answers to all of these questions right now. The pursuit of these answers is where the adventure of boldness begins.
Reflection
The way to begin the alignment process with your boldness is to spend time reflecting. These essential questions deserve the proper time, space, and attention to arrive at your best answers. The vision we cast for our lives and our leadership is not set-in-stone but will evolve. It should reflect who we are at that moment and put us on the path to create our most powerful unique impact. The process of listening to yourself is the way to dig deeper for ideas and watch for cues to uncover your unique flavor of greatness. This is one of the first steps to take on your journey.
Asking for help is a sign of strength. I didn't always feel that way. There were many times in my life and my career when I should have asked for help and did not. When I did ask for help, I was always glad I did. When I didn't ask for the support needed, I floundered or took a much longer route than required. One properly placed question can help you shift your thinking and provide clarity in a way pondering alone cannot. You can and should enlist others to provide guidance and support to help you on your journey. Two heads are always better than one, and especially if the other person is skilled at asking questions, listening deeply, and providing insights that you may not have recognized on your own.
When we work with leaders searching to uncover their purpose, looking to the past helps them gain clarity. We look back to review where they were courageous and innovative in the past, and this often provides clues for their bold future. For many of us, we may have taken the path of least resistance, followed the well-meaning advice of a loved one trying to keep us 'safe,' or we ran into obstacles and changed course. We may find ourselves on a different path, losing sight of our original vision. Does this sound familiar?
We all have the knowledge inside of us of what we want to accomplish in life and who we are meant to be. Deep down, we know that we have the unique talents to achieve big things in the areas that matter most to us. But the path gets diverted, and we follow a different one that is not true to ourselves. You could be in a role where you are making it work, and you might even be achieving success. However, you're not feeling fulfilled or like you are making the difference you want to make. There's the niggling feeling that you are not doing what you are meant to do or making an impact, and it won't go away.
The Moment of Truth
It is always the right time to get back on the correct path. You can hit the reset button at any point. Sadly, for so many, it doesn't happen. Those who do, begin by deciding that they're not going to just go through the motions. They want to stop feeling like life and work are an endless slog, day after day. There is a moment where they say:
ENOUGH
"I choose not to live like this anymore. I will do what I am meant to do. I am finished with mediocrity."
And make no mistake – this is incredibly bold because most people don't go there. The road to boldness is not crowded; at times, it is lonely and painful, but the rewards you will reap are worth it. When this happens, you are now ready to discover what bold leadership is about. You can set a clear vision of how you want your life and career to be and take the steps to make it happen:
Step 1: Decide to take the path of boldness
Step 2: Reflect on the six essential questions and journal your answers
Step 3: Enlist the help of others to ask questions and provide support
Step 4: Recognize and encourage others on their journey to boldness
So rather than fear this journey, run towards it. Because that's what brave people do on their path to BOLDNESS. This person could be you. 100%!
Would you like some company on your journey to boldness? Enlist Aspiration Catalyst® to help you get there fast and achieve great results. 2021 only comes once and this moment is the right time to choose to be bold and achieve the success you deserve.