Talking with a client of mine recently, she shared a principle which I believe fits every life, every set of circumstances and each individual – “You need to learn to adapt what you do to align with your uniqueness, and find approaches which fire your specific strengths to bring out your best”!
1 – Shine!
Now my client was in this instance referring to exercises which your particular body type, anatomy and genetic make up respond best to; but this can also help each one of us in the various spheres of our life in pursuing those things which can make the best of ourselves to shine!
What are your strengths? What are the talents and gifts in your life which others are quick to recognise and point out? And potentially in addition to this are areas of gifting which are known within your mind and perhaps not so publicly recognised.
2 – Tune In
So how are you are able to tune into the approaches and techniques which can help lead you to your “zone”? Something I have observed in others and experienced myself is that by purely being open to trying and experiencing new things, opens the door to discovering your most suited space to live in…the best of you revealed…
Do you have a part of yourself which has never really seen the light of day so to speak, an ability which you have some confidence in but you haven’t really tried it out too much or are afraid of trying it out?
Public speaking is one such ability which is a major fear for some, in fact I know of people who will not seek advancement in their chosen career due their fear of public speaking and the fact that a promotion would require them to face their fear. Yet I have frequently observed such people who fear the stage, being outstandingly gifted at presenting and speaking; when they allow themselves to give it a try!
3 – Leave Comfortable Behind
The best of yourself isn’t always comfortable and often doesn’t come easily, and yet through time and persistence becomes a driving inspiration for you! This is such a powerful truth which can release your mind to remove the barriers which have been conditioned into you through various influences, from upbringing to friends and family etc!
Once you realise that fear is not a reason to avoid something which could release a potential you didn’t even know about, the restraints of the mind are blown off and you are facing a whole new world of possibilities!
I cannot stress enough how big this thought process is! Once our mind is opened to embrace new and untried things, despite the potential of falling on our face, we can begin to live! The mind is an intricate force, and needs to be exercised, stretched and empowered! Like our muscles it grows when put under the right loading!
From the book, 12 Rules For Life – An Antidote For Chaos, Jordan B Peterson states, “Treat yourself as if you were someone you were responsible for helping.” So how would you encourage a friend to step out and embrace new opportunities outside of their comfort zone? Do for yourself what you do for your friends! Take the leap to find the new ground you cannot even see yet.
4 – Aim to be Inspiring
Settling in life is not a healthy position to take in most cases. Aim to empower others and lift them up to be the best version of themselves…encourage growth and development in those around you. It doesn’t mean we all need someone on our back to ride us until we give in and step out…rather we need someone speaking positive encouragement into our lives, allowing us to be safe in the vulnerable state of walking on unfamiliar ground, testing out how it feels and how we might fit.
Inspiration is at the heart of being the best version of ourselves. When you are inspired you are zoned in and hyper focused on what has inspired you, and desire to share that with others! And in essence this encapsulates what leadership is about – inspiring others. To inspire and lead you must be inspired!
5 – From Your Hurt Comes Your Heart of Healing
It is amazing how often the hardest times in our lives give us the very experiences which are the most powerful tools to impact those around us – out of our misery comes our mission!
The very thing which when you are in the middle of living through it, cannot wait for it to be over; is the thing which often can be the place where the best of you is borne. If you allow love to overpower the bitterness and hurt, your best shines and shines and shines…and this helps others to heal and be their best!
The most inspiring people are those who have gone through hell and yet treat others as though they have visited Heaven! And just as there is a choice as to how we react to what life throws at us, that which in many cases we don’t have a choice in, there is perhaps greater opportunity to embrace the space out of our comfort zone when we do have a choice – the way we live our lives!