Today is WOOHOO Wednesday and we are going to CELEBRATE your uniqueness or those qualities that make you special. I was inspired today to talk about this after reading a blog post by Lynette Barbieri.
If I asked you to tell me “what makes you special?“, could you do it?
It would be a struggle for me – shocking for some, I am sure. Growing up, I didn’t want to be unique – I just wanted to fit in. I didn’t want to be “special” because that meant that I wasn’t popular. I didn’t know what was special about me. I didn’t have that feeling in my gut that told me how great I was. I wanted to hide in a corner and not be seen. I lived that way for many years. Then I started to squash those inner gremlins and embrace the positives qualities that are deep in my core.
In direct sales, I often hear that you want to stand out from the pack. I mean with thousands of consultants in your company, why would someone pick you above anyone else. Why would they stay faithful to you? I honestly didn’t know. I always knew that I had a special purpose but I never knew how to express it. Was being a good listener special? How about helping others? Or giving to others even when you don’t have it? I am crafty but is that special? I can play (or used to) the piano, what is so special about that?
I am learning that all of those things are the qualities that draw people to me. I am resourceful able to connect people with resources. I get along with people from all different backgrounds. I am passionate, and caring. I want to make people smile. I have lots of “stuff” (information) in my head but I don’t always know how to share it – just ask and I will share all I know.
The truth is that I may not believe that I have greatness inside of me BUT I DO believe that you have greatness in YOU!
So, what about you? What are your strengths? I know I keep going back to that but when we lock into what those are, it will help us know where we are going. We have to be willing to take risks to discover our purpose and to achieve greatness. A life without risk is boring, right?
Maybe you know what your greatness is and you are afraid to share it? You don’t have to hide it. You don’t have to deny it. You don’t have to worry about what other people say or think. You need to OWN IT!
At a Leadership retreat, my mantra became “Own My Journey“. Because the truth was that I was trying to follow everyone else’s journey. I need and so do you to “own your journey” so that we can grow into the people sharing our gifts along with the way. We all have our own journey. What other people think is none of our business.
As Vanessa Coppes, refers to it “your shining light”! By working with both of these ladies, I started to see my shining light and I learned that I need to let it shine more!
So, ladies, never let anyone dim that light. Remember, life is a marathon not a sprint.
What makes you special? I would love to hear it! Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 