Self-censorship
This morning, I watched a podcast discussing censorship on YouTube and other platforms, then the discussion shifted to self-censorship and it got me thinking. Am I censoring myself? Is there a part of myself I downplay or even hide publicly, and if yes, why am I doing it? What do I fear?
I took time to reflect and realized that I’ve been hiding my fascination with quantum physics and how people create their own reality. I’m not a physicist so I’m not talking about going deep into the science but learning how what’s been discovered since Max Planck can be used in leadership. How could I not? My passions are self-empowerment, success, and service to others. Obviously, any tool that makes us more powerful in our efforts to create value and be of service to other gets my attention.
Weighing the risks
So why am I downplaying it? What’s the fear? I came to realize I hold judgment for people who spend time visualizing what they want to create (and talk about it ad nauseam) but don’t take action and keep playing the victim. Too many Law of Attraction fans turn the concept of focusing on what we wish to create into an excuse to avoid facing reality and taking responsibility. When they don’t actively participate in creating their success, their lives don’t change. And I don’t want to hurt my brand by appearing to be associated with that.
But… is that a valid concern? Is it possible that my readers would lose confidence in me? Maybe. But probably not. The smart ones would not forget that all my blogs and videos encourage people to be strategic and take action. I preach courage, not avoidance. So, I guess, it’s time for me to get out of the “vibrational closet”. Something tells me, I may be surprised to see how many people I respect and admire are in the same closet. The book sales (over 100 million copies sold) of “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill lead me to believe that “Thoughts become things” isn’t just a woowoo-thing we do here in California. What do you think?
Missed opportunities
In my personal life, I make time every morning to visualize how I want my day to unfold, I pay attention to my thoughts and when I don’t like where my mind is going, I redirect my focus. When I am being too realistic, I remind myself to think bigger and keep raising the bar. I avoid thoughts that create unnecessary fear and I actively participate in activities that foster trust and confidence in the future. I practice gratitude daily, I meditate, and always work to expand my connection to the field, my love for all that exists, and my compassion for the world. I believe in oneness and in things our eyes can’t see. Yes, I’ve lived in woowoo-California for over 20 years and it shows.
But I don’t say that to clients – unless they bring it up themselves. I help them become more empowered without using words like “raise your vibration” because it could be off-putting and honestly, even I don’t like it. I talk about emotional intelligence, positive psychology, mindset, and stress reduction. I share what I know creates phenomenal results in a covert way. So, I am asking myself, what are the missed opportunities? Well, I haven’t hurt clients by holding back since I’m still integrating the “magic” into my work in a subtle way, but I may have failed to attract clients who seek exactly who I am but can’t see who I am. I am missing out on the joy of meeting more like-minded leaders.
Being fully authentic
Honestly, until this morning, I sincerely believed that I was fully authentic because everything I say is true; I never pretend to be who I am not, but I didn’t realize how downplaying such a big part of myself (where science and spirituality meet) meant that I wasn’t fully authentic. I felt the need to hide something important to me, for fear of being misunderstood. That seems so incredibly silly now! Choosing an Executive Coach is a very important decision for any leader. They need to find someone whose expertise, values, and approach feel like a match made in heaven. The more you know about coaches, the easier it will be to choose the right one. So I promise, I will no longer hold back in my blogs and videos.
What this means for you
This is a blog I am writing for you, and not a journal entry, so enough about me and let’s talk about you. Is there an important part of yourself you repress or downplay? If yes, what do you fear?
When we don’t fully accept all parts of ourselves, we become a lesser version of ourselves. Self-judgment or fear that other people won’t understand us leads to pain. It forces us to abandon a part of ourselves and compromise how we live and how we lead. Honestly, it’s not worth it. Feeling vulnerable makes us seek protection. But once we realize we don’t need protection and we are safe to be who we are, we can blossom in full self-expression.
Whether you are interested in expanding your leadership skills at your current position or get a new job, my advice is the same: get to know what makes you special and let people see it.
That’s how you will stand out, be inspirational, build trust, gain influence, and foster loyalty. You have so much to gain and nothing to lose! Acting in alignment with your true nature and living your values is not risky. The opposite is risky. Losing yourself is terrifying.
If you feel inspired by this blog post and want to build momentum to allow yourself to shine, I invite you to click here and schedule a call with me. We will discuss how we can work together to facilitate the process and help you reach your professional goals faster and with ease and enthusiasm. Talk to you soon!
About the author: Dr. Audrey Reille has empowered thousands of professionals through one-on-one coaching, group coaching, speaking engagements, and online courses. Audrey is the go-to coach for leaders in higher education administration. She empowers them to thrive by reducing stress, optimizing strategies, improving professional relationships, and developing a strong and empowered mindset.