Today was the first day in years--yes, years--that I got out of bed excited about what is on my plate. Why?
I have spent a lot of time over the last two weeks really speaking in my true voice.
Going with my gut.
Playing to my strengths.
Have you ever been in a situation where your gut leads you in a different direction than everyone else, but you went along with the group just to fit in? It happens all the time.
Entrepreneurs follow advice of investors, who may not be nearly as invested in the success of the business as the founder. Could this be why so many new businesses fail?
New students follow the rules of the popular kids, just so they don’t stand out at their new school. Could this be why many kids suddenly stop doing activities they enjoyed/were good at?
Women
executives feel the need to follow some rules made up by the
male-dominated corporate culture, because someone told them they had to
in order to be successful. Catalyst's report,
"Women and Men in U.S. Corporate Leadership: Same Workplace, Different
Realities?", found that 81% of women said that "adopting a style with
which male managers are comfortable" is an important or very important
strategy to advance one's career. Could this be why many companies have trouble achieving their goals?
Now you may be thinking, “What the heck is my true voice?
I’ve got one voice I use at work, another voice I use with my kids, a
third voice I use with my friends, and a completely different voice I
use with my spouse or partner.” I argue that if that’s the case for
you, you’re wasting your energy.
So how do you find your true voice? Here are some easy-to-follow steps:
- Notice when you’re using your true voice.
You’ll know by the ease with which your ideas come out, and the lack of
nagging your conscience does afterwards. Pay attention and reward
yourself for speaking with truth.
- Trust your gut.
Coaches say this a lot. Personal coaches say it to their clients;
athletic coaches say it to their greatest performers. We say it for a
reason: it’s true. Your gut really does know what’s right for you. The
more you trust it, the more you’ll be able to hear it.
- Change what you can.
If you can rewrite/redo things you did using a false voice, please do
so. Note the consequences of putting your message in your real voice.
Now this may sound a bit selfish, but…
Being your best and truest you is the best goal anyone can have. Once you find your true voice and start letting it out
on a regular basis, you’ll find great and wonderful things begin to
happen.