What do you have to say today?
Hello, !
There’s things you know, and then there’s things you KNOW.
You know? 😜
We know things theoretically, intellectually, but also instinctually and emotionally, and finally with the deep assurance of having practiced repeatedly.
For example - spiritual truths. We can go to church and hear “God is good” and nod our heads. But still unconsciously have the notion that God is out to judge us and punish us anytime we mess up.
It’s called cognitive dissonance - our human ability to hold two contradictory beliefs at the same time - and believe me, it’s exhausting.
In fact, I am more and more convinced that cognitive dissonance is the root cause of our exhaustion - because often it is what motivates us to overwork, overthink, and generally make life hard on ourselves.
It’s like a violin that’s out of tune - it’s really hard to listen to, and really hard to play.
In the world of entrepreneurship and leadership, here’s a BIG source of cognitive dissonance -
How can I be successful despite being an introvert?
I remember asking that question to a BIG name in the online coaching industry (seriously, the guy makes like $30 million yearly at least) and he said - “I don’t believe there’s such a thing as being an introvert.”
Womp, womp.
So, I tried that thought on. And realized, NOPE, that doesn’t work.
I am definitely an introvert. I may be able to fool people for
short periods of time by my very practiced skills of conversation and socializing, but they are skills that I practiced, and the energy required to do that is EXHAUSTING.
I tell my clients - it’s not that you need to learn how to be successful DESPITE being an introvert - it’s that you need to learn how to be successful AS an introvert.
Because if I believe that I was created by God, on purpose, with purpose, then there’s not an aspect of my personality that is holding me back from success. Whatever I’m seeing as an obstacle (for example, introversion) is actually an opportunity waiting to be realized.
I knew that, but after having multiple conversations this week on this topic - I KNOW that.
For example, extroverted entrepreneurs usually hire me because, although they get great pleasure from accomplishing many things, they feel scattered and want to focus more to increase their profit and/or work fewer hours.
My introverted entrepreneurs hire me because I speak their language, help them clarify their future direction, and create an action plan that is simple, doable, repeatable.
My super creative entrepreneurs hire me because I listen to their amazing ideas without getting tired (and they have a LOT of them - I love it!), and help them sift through them and decide which ones to focus on.
Very different clients - but they come to me because I am an Introvert, and use my Introversion as an ASSET, not a liability in my business.
It reminds me of the story of David, the musical shepherd boy who was just crazy and strong enough to kill a bear and a lion, and who mastered the art of the
slingshot in a sword world, but who then saved a nation by defeating a giant with that same bizarre set of skills.
Because he leaned into who he was
created to be, and found out that he was created to be a shepherd, a warrior, a master songwriter, and eventually a king.
Crazy.
So let me ask you - are you seeing your natural talents and traits as obstacles to your success? Or as opportunities
for your success?
Another question - do you even KNOW what your natural talents, traits, and strengths are?
Ready to find out?
If so, I invite you to book a Clarity call. In this 45 minute call, I will help you get clarity on one aspect of your business or personal life, and how you can use your unique strengths to take better, stronger action. This is a FREE call, but is specifically geared to help a person
get to the root issue. As my professor used to say, “This isn’t Mickey Mouse and Koolaid, people.”
Ready to learn to use your strengths to fast
track your business and enjoy your life more?
