This morning, while in a SPIN class at a studio I'd never been to, I figured it out. You can absolutely not be afraid to show your strengths.
The class provided comfortable music with an even beat set at a medium volume. I would categorize the music as non-risky. It wasn't anything that would spur me to kick it into full gear. Music, I can only suppose, played to please a wide audience.
In the first half of the class, I was agitated. While I was having an okay workout, the class was dull and uninspiring. The room was full, yet as the faces of everyone else seemed to imply, we all felt the same way.
The instructor seemed nervous to go full force and show us what she was made of. She was nervous to inspire change because, in doing so, she may inadvertently leave someone behind.
Even her commands were very comfortable. She made sure that everyone knew they were not required to push themselves. "If you want to increase your level, go ahead, but don't feel the need to if you're okay where you're at." A sure-fire way to guarantee no one would increase his or her fitness level throughout the class.
The instructor was fit and obviously knew what she was doing, but she was clearly uneasy to show her strength and ability to the class. While her style was inclusive to all levels, it failed to inspire anyone!
It failed to challenge you to push past your current fitness level. It failed to challenge you to build your strength and increase your endurance. It forfeited any drive to have an exceptional workout. It was all extremely mediocre.
Then, I understood, and the message was loud and clear.
To inspire change, you must not be comfortable. You need to be challenged.
Challenges inspire you to reach that next phase. To achieve your best self, you need to be mindful of the opportunities that await you.
If you want to lead a movement and inspire change, you need to go full out, be real, and show your strengths. It's a waste of my time to worry about who you may leave out. Comfortable is bland; uncomfortable is vibrant.
The thing is, I'm looking forward to so many awesome things in my life, but if I don't live full out or continue to push through uncomfortable, nothing will change.
I have pushed so far already. I have challenged myself to keep going, discover, feel, love, and go all in! Whatever that entails, it continues to open my eyes to how many more possibilities are in store.
Aspiring to be your best self requires showing your greatest strengths.
Life is a journey. Live it, vibrantly!
I work with powerful women, leaders, and successful businesswomen, often at the height of their careers, and those who are no longer there but still feel they are on the inside.
If you feel like you've lost a part of yourself over the years, and that you've been taking care of everyone else, and you want to live full out and feel inspired by your life, I want to hear from you.
Send me a message here on Facebook, and let's chat about how we can get back to you, rediscover who you are as an individual, as a woman, as an influential leader.
"I didn't come this far to only come this far" –Tom Brady