Hello !

Recently, I wrote about hiding in the shadows.  If you have been hiding your talents, you might be starting to think that it is time for you to let yourself be seen.  But, maybe the prospect of being seen is still causing you to feel so anxious that you cannot move forward. Here are a few ideas that might help.

Take Very Small Steps 

Take very small, steps toward becoming more visible.  Think of a baby learning how to walk.  What is one simple act you could do that would move you a tiny bit closer to your goal and still feel very safe?  If you want to start a business, a small step would be to do some online research about the type of business you want to start. If you have low confidence in yourself and want to be seen at work as being more competent and confident, look for someone who you think exudes confidence.  Ask yourself this question.  "Who would I need to be to do x?" Begin to behave as you imagine that person might behave in your situation.  It really can help us grow, when we imagine ourself as someone else when learning to become a more visible version of ourself.  

Every journey starts with one step.  What will your first step be? 

Stay In The Moment 

I worked with an entrepreneur who told me she often woke up at two or three in the morning. She tried to go back to sleep, but her mind raced with anxious thoughts. Her chest felt tight and she tossed and turn until her alarm went off.  This meant that many times, she started her day tired, uninspired and she drifted aimlessly through most of her work day.  

We talked about how anxiety and overwhelm occur when we are not living in the present. Instead we are thinking about a stressful incident in the past or worrying about what might happen in the future.  If we put our attention on where we are now, it can effectively diminish anxiety.  For example, if she can't get back to sleep at night, my client learned to focus on where she is right now... the comfortable feel of her bed, the quietness in her room, the cool feeling of the sheets against her skin. Then we added “Box Breathing", and she was able to relax and fall asleep more quickly. When the anxious thoughts tried to creep back in, she turned her thoughts back to the present moment and her breathing.  

When we are feeling anxious, our breath becomes quicker and more shallow. Changing the way you are breathing can slow your heartbeat, lower your blood pressure, and stimulate your vagus nerve.  The vagus nerve is responsible for the body’s rest activities. Activating the vagus nerve, helps you to calm down. Box Breathing is an excellent tool to use before giving a speech, meeting with your team or pitching your product to a potential client.  It also works well if you are a parent dealing with young children, teenagers or adult children in your personal life.

Here is a link to a demonstration of Box Breathing: 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=a7uQXDkxEtM&si=ryIKIMD7JighVBIZ

Embrace The Discomfort 

Discomfort is something we would rather not feel.  We do everything we can to avoid discomfort and in doing so, we essentially limit the opportunity to achieve our full potential. Studies have shown that it is by doing something new, even if we do it badly, and continuing to do it over and over again that we can achieve mastery.

Anyone who has achieved mastery in any area of life, did so only after a few blunders, failures and embarrassing moments.  Usually, those miss-takes, are not fatal.  They are learning opportunities and often the way we ultimately realize mastery.  Don't worry about being perfect, just don't give up.  Keep pushing forward and as you do, you will get better and better at whatever it is you want to accomplish. 

So, take a chance!  Go after that promotion at work, offer your business services to that company you have had your eye on for the last two years.  Get out there and be seen!  You have something to offer the world and there are people out there who need what you have to give. 

If you would like to have some help moving past anxious feelings and support as you step into the light, I would be happy to schedule a no obligation phone conversation with you. Nothing brings me more joy than to help others step into their full potential and share their gifts with the world. You will find my contact info below. 
 

I look forward to talking with you soon. 

With Loving Support,

Linda