Today is a big day. Kathy Caprino, renowned author, speaker, career, and leadership coach and Sr. Forbes contributor is with me today. Kathy and I have a lot in common when it comes to our innate desire to empower others to be their best self and show up that way every day. That is what we are unpacking today – how to be the most powerful you.

I love to discuss shining, but as Kathy accurately points out, before we can shine, we have to break free of the opposite mindset. The opposite of shining is suppression or depression. From a young age, we are taught to suppress. We are raised to be fearful. Whether or not it is well-intended, this crippling mindset will leave our light dimmed and our impact impotent, all out of fear of being embarrassed or losing face.

You aren’t born with confidence. You gain it by doing the things you don’t think you can do. As you live and learn and push beyond your perceived boundaries, your confidence grows. Often, your natural talents – those things you have always been, are the foundation for what will allow you to be fulfilled and add value to other people. 

You won’t get it on the first try. You have to press beyond the fear of making a mistake sot that you can recognize what makes you happy and adds the most value to others. When you can turn your mess into a message, you will find healing from limiting beliefs and find your center. You can choose who you want to be in the world. Anchor yourself to the core truth you hold dear and know that, while what you do may change, who you are remains true.

It sounds simple enough – believe and do better. It takes bravery to step into who you truly are. It takes courage to look openly at what isn’t working and be accountable to change it. You have the power to act as an agent of change in your own life and be the author of your own story. Find something every day that restores you and put it on your calendar. Invest in restoration. You are no good to anyone bound by stress.

In parting, Kathy has a challenge for you: Right now, for the next ten minutes, take a self-assessment. Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe you are important? And that the world needs you? Now believe it more and ask yourself the following question: “If I truly believe I am important and the world needs me, what will I try next?”. Don’t stop until you believe in yourself more than you did when you started. After that, take my power gap survey (listed in the resources below) and start taking practical steps toward living the true you.

 Rise. Shine. Impact. Honor who you want to be..

Resources

• Time to Shine Video
• The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss by Kathy Caprino

 Connect with Kathy

Website - https://findingbrave.org/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/kathycaprino

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kathycaprino/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathycaprino/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/KathyCaprino

Connect with John:

www.standoutmovement.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnwalsh_standout 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrwalshjr 

Twitter - https://twitter.com/johnwstandout