Be Your Own Damn Champion
Practical tools to light your internal fire, show up and play big in the world.
As we started our first post with TEN things stronger than goals, I thought breaking down those TEN aspects and equipping you with practical tools would be worthwhile.
Practice is the key to change.
Let's dive into the first one: BE YOUR OWN DAMN CHAMPION.
Many of us invest way too much time seeking external validation and obsessing over others perceptions of us. Consequently, it impacts our ability to be our true selves, share our work, and live a life that is ours! So why do you invest so much time and energy into what others think? AKA Why the fuck do you care so much? Maybe it’s because:
You haven't put in the work to uncover your true self. If you don't discover who you are, you can't OWN who you are, which messes with your internal compass.
Your insecurities are running the show. Insecurities are those things we hide; what if we stopped hiding them?
You're elevating people onto pedestals, and someone's always looking down on you because of it. Do this, and you'll always feel or be treated as less than.
You're clinging to a past that defines your identity. In a world obsessed with labels, we attach tags to ourselves hastily, often to our detriment.
Your self-narrative has been toxic for way too long. The longer you cling to it, the higher the toll it takes.
Okay, I'll stop there because chances are you relate to at least one of the above, and it's not just holding you back; it's preventing you from tapping into your full potential and capabilities. Strangely, this space might even be comfortable because nobody pushes someone they don't consider worthy of more, and let's face it, most of us don't like to feel uncomfortable.
Instead of dwelling on your self-imposed limitations, let's discuss ways to break free from them because that will shift how much you invest in caring what other people think.
How do we be our own damn champion?
Know who you are: This isn’t about WHAT you do, because even if I stripped that away, you should still feel grounded, confident, and aware of your contribution to the world. So ask yourself, Who am I? What do I value? How do those values guide my behaviors and decisions? What is my contribution?
Watch Your Language: Words cast spells. They either amplify you or keep you small. If you use limiting language, catch it and flip it on its head. Consistency compounds. The words we use directly shape our presence in the world.
Level The Playing Field: My mother always said, "We all put on our pants one leg at a time; nobody is greater or lesser." I put ZERO people on pedestals. I don't care if you're Jeff Fucking Bezos. There's a distinction between respecting someone's success and efforts versus putting them above you. Level the playing field!
Transform Comparison into Inspiration: Comparison is junk food. It offers nothing constructive. So, turn it into something useful – inspiration! When comparison strikes, ask yourself, "What truly inspires me here? What actionable steps can I take because of this?"
Have Some Pride: Every single day, you NEED to stop and appreciate a minimum of THREE things about yourself. Wether you do this by journalling, via voice note, or with a partner or friend, this should be a daily non-negotiable. If you are waiting for someone else to rev you up, say 'great job,' and applaud you for who you are and your accomplishments - you are giving away all of your power and leaving it up to someone else to make you feel worthy. Worth isn't something someone gives to you; it's what you give to yourself.
Get into practice, you got this!