The more I talk to my family, friends, colleagues, and clients, the more it becomes evident to me that we all have things we want to DO, SAY, and SHARE with the world…but we’re SO scared of being:
What will people think of us when we decide to be wholly ourselves?
If you’ve been feeling the fear of rejection, of putting yourself out there, of being judged, seen, and heard, I hear you.
I see you.
The truth is, the fear of rejection is paralyzing.
So, how do we combat that voice in our head when we feel the anxiety and stress building? The one telling us that it’s “too much,” that we may get something wrong, offend someone, or worse…get “canceled?”
3 Earthly Reminders
Welcome this particular fear as a part of the process. It means you have the self-awareness to question the limitations of your expertise and the desire to serve your audience with integrity.
With that, here are 3 things to remind yourself of as you start sharing more:
1
You’re not Google (or AI), and you won’t always have all of the answers. That’s completely okay. Know when to say you’re not sure, and bring your audience along for the journey.
2
Know that you’re allowed to reevaluate and change your opinion. Allow yourself the flexibility of being human – because as you grow and evolve, your perspective will too.
3
Embrace the possibility that you may get it wrong. Our opinions evolve as we discover new information and have new experiences, and the reality is, you may not have the whole picture…yet. With time, you’ll discover new data, new stories, new first-person accounts…like any other news cycle. Don’t let it stop you from sharing what you’re called to share in the meantime.
3 Empowering Exercises
None of this matters if you’re still trying to break free from the voice in your head telling you you’re not worthy of being heard. If this is true for you, I want you to try a few exercises that really work to break you out of your shell (read: mental prison). Note: you may laugh at yourself throughout this experiment (and that’s precisely the point).
1
Repeat this simple affirmation to yourself for 30 days every morning: I am worthy of being heard.
2
Find your favorite pair of headphones and go dance in the street (somewhere safe) for 10 minutes. It’ll feel silly, freeing, and a bit strange, but it’s a practice of getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. This will get you out of your head and into your body. I want you to start feeling okay with putting yourself out there more.
3
Sing your message(s) in the shower. Think of it as an exercise of cathartic expression. Why the shower? Well, it’s a protected space. It’s an audience of one. So, you can get loud and proud with your message(s). PRO TIP: You may want to warn your fellow dwellers in advance…so they don’t break down the door in a panic!
All in all, being a thought leader means accepting the risk of rejection knowing well that what you’re sharing is worth being heard…on and offline.
I’m always rooting for you!
P.S. Want to see how it’s done? Come find me on Instagram @yasaminsalavatian or connect with me on LinkedIn!
Download my free resource
5 Ways to Build Your Personal Brand From Scratch, to explore the ins and outs of personal branding (because, yes, speaking your truth is a huge part of it!).
I’ve packed this guide with actionable tips and personal stories to make it a fun read!
Image/Video credits: Ty Z Wilson Photography, Amanda Hartfield
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