Have the courage to make the changes YOU deserve!
Confidence: If You Don't Feel Confident, Be Courageous
"When you practice everyday courage, you feel proud, powerful, build authentic pride in yourself, and create real confidence" - Mel Robbins
Courage.
Confidence.
Speaking your truth.
Something I‘ve helped countless people with. It’s the backbone of my work with clients. It’s what I’ve helped some of my family, friends and work colleagues with for many years.
Being somebody who can outwardly display confidence whilst inside feeling the complete opposite at times, is all too familiar to me. It’s something I’ve struggled with from as far back as I can remember - Probably from when I first started to speak.
Why?
Something I haven’t shared in a conscious way with many (and certainly not here)... I have a stammer.
This is part of who I am. Something I’ve learned to live with. At times, it has held me back and it affects my confidence, but not my courage and determination.
If you’ve ever heard me speak, I don’t think it will be a complete surprise to you to read that I have a stammer. But the impact on my life and my confidence may surprise you.
There are times when it stops me from showing up. Makes me take a back seat and has on occasion made me feel incomplete.
But hey! Having a stammer isn’t a new thing to me. I’m 53 years old this year and as I said it’s something that’s been with me forever. So why am I sharing this with you now?
Because now is as good a time as any. So many things have happened over this past year for so many of us. I for one have had plenty of time to reflect on who I am, what I’m about and what’s important to me. This past year has prompted me to continue to be brave. To continue to seize life with both hands and encourage those I come into contact with to do the same.
Another catalyst for me sharing this with you now was the impact of watching the BBC’s recent programme, I Can’t Say My Name: Stammering in the Spotlight in which BBC producer Felicity Baker shared her personal journey. I found it moving, inspirational and inspiring. It left me feeling free to claim the impact having a stammer has had on me but even more determined to have courage despite it.
I would absolutely recommend you watch Felicity’s story and if you have struggles with confidence....I‘m sending you a big wave of courage. I see you!
Further Reading/Watching/Listening
- The Key To Real Confidence: Daily Acts of Everyday Courage
- How To Reduce Anxiety and Build Self Confidence
Val
Top image credit: Captured by Megan Wilson
