Showing up when your confidence gets rattled
My year got off to a rough start.
I started the year with big goals and a solid plan. But you know that old saying about the best laid plans turning into a shit show?
Yeah, I think that’s how it goes.
Even though one of my big goals for this year is s p a c i o u s n e s s, I somehow managed to wildly overschedule January. So I’ve started the year feeling harried, exhausted, and behind.
I also had a couple of work setbacks that rattled my confidence and left me feeling dispirited.
Showing up when it’s hard
So last Thursday, when I was preparing for an online networking event for “Multi 6 & 7-Figure Speakers,” I was not feeling it. I felt intimidated and off my game.
But that morning, as I was getting dressed—in a bright floral power blouse that made me feel good—I said to my boyfriend, “You know, I always talk about the power of a strong brand. And even though I’m having a hard time right now, at least I do feel confident about my brand and messaging.”
And I meant it.
Even with my confidence shaken, I knew I had a distinctive, elevated brand at my back. And that made me stand a little taller.
Then, as I was introducing myself on the call, a woman I’d coincidentally met the week before told the group to check out my website because it was so beautiful.
Fuck yeah—it is. And I really settled in.
The power of a strong brand
This is exactly what a strong brand does.
It works for you even when you’re struggling. It represents you professionally when you can’t quite muster the energy to hype yourself up. It backs up your expertise when imposter syndrome is whispering in your ear.
I’ve been feeling pretty solid in my business for the last couple years, so it had been a while since I’d had to give myself a real pep talk like I did last week.
But it was a good reminder for MYSELF of what I tell clients all the time:
When you have a professional brand and website working hard for you behind the scenes, you can show up with more confidence, even on the rough days.
This past weekend, I finally felt like I regained control of my schedule and my sanity. I spent the weekend with friends, good food, and capped it off with a very necessary dirty martini.
Onward and upward.
Anyone else have a rough start to the year? What are you doing to turn it around?
Goodies Just For You
WHAT I’M THINKING ABOUT: I recently watched Celine Song’s film The Materialists on the plane. I wouldn’t have been interested from the trailer, but Song directed Past Lives — one of my faves — so I decided to give it a chance and I’m glad I did. I appreciated the unflinching view of how transactional dating can be. It’s much frothier and sillier than Past Lives, but it has more depth than many recent rom-coms and I was really engaged and moved by the end.
WHAT I’M BAKING: One of my dear newsletter subscribers sent me her favorite cookie recipe last week: Chocolate Oat & Walnut Cookie by a co-founder of Tartine Bakery. I had friends over Saturday night, so I tried this new-to-me cookie recipe and it is definitely entering the regular rotation! The recipe is gluten-free, but I used regular flour instead of the gluten-free flour and also added flaky sea salt. Delicious! Side note: When I was in CDMX last week, I learned that Richard Hart, a Tartine head baker had opened a pastry shop there after a few years in Copenhagen (anyone else been to Hart Bakery?). Of course I had to make a pilgrimage and it did not disappoint (if you go, try the passion fruit croissant and the galletas).
WHO I’M ADMIRING: This past week, several women in my network used their platforms to speak out about Minnesota and I wanted to appreciate their leadership here: Allie Gibson, Stacy Eleczko, Kim Kiel, Katie Dunn, Rhiannon O'Leary, Angela Acosta. I also admire how Kim Kiel is really clear about her personal, political, and business values in her website footer.
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