Developing Your Individual Voice is the Gateway to Self Acceptance and That Fast Tracks Your Success
Pimmi Pande
Transforming shy leaders into authentic speakers | Writer | Film maker | Success Coach | Greatest professional moment: interviewing the Dalai Lama.
“When you know yourself, you are empowered. When you accept yourself, you are invincible.” – Tina Lifford
I love the expression “own it,” because apart from the strong, sassy, self validating connotations, it perfectly describes how we must show up to our unique experience of life.
The trouble is, so many people don’t own who they are. I mean, practically from birth we are inundated with other ideas on how we should think and be. Rarely are we encouraged to develop our natural persona. We often have to follow suit in some way. And true individuation can sometimes come at a cost. We might grow up feeling like a misfit, a weirdo, an “other”. In fact life can seem like a daily struggle to keep up with everyone else, just so we can fit in. From fashion expectations to beauty definitions; from social morals and behaviours to religious beliefs and political ideologies - the rules on how we are supposed to be are overwhelming. It can be hard to carve out your authentic identity from all that. And still achieve acceptance. While trying not to be “cancelled”.
It’s easy to become nervous about sharing your voice when you are uncertain if your words will be well received. Especially if you have experienced life as an outsider or a minority individual. I see so many people who choose to self silence even if they do have something to say. Whether that’s expressing disagreement, discomfort or describing an idea in a meeting. It is merely the fear of the consequence of exposing who they are that leads to them swallowing their words. Because of that, you can end up bringing a limited percentage of who you are to your work and personal life. But when you do that, you are actively undermining yourself.
And it is for this reason that I think it’s necessary to understand that developing your voice is not just about sounding competent and confident. And therefore the task of truly finding that voice within – which, by the way, is not lost in the first place – is not going to happen by practising a few vocal exercises. Unless your issue is purely technique related.
Because owning your own voice requires you to believe in you. In what you have to say. And your worthiness of sharing it, in whichever format. It’s a self validating process that underlines your right to be where you are and doing what you are doing. And therein, it brings with it incredible, empowering growth. Understand though, it’s not about how much you speak up. It’s not even about the volume or tone of your voice, though these are useful qualities to improve upon. But I have known some less vocal, more thoughtful individuals who have strong self esteem and a powerful energy that impacts you before the words they have gently spoken.
And that is why I love the term, “own it.” It’s about?not?outsourcing your worth but, instead, you having enough self trust to accept who you are so you can truly live your life and no one else’s.
Sharing your authentic voice is you having all the faith in the real you, without all the approval ratings, ‘like’ emoticons and slaps on the back, regardless of what everyone says or thinks. And then underwriting what you have to say with self love.
Pimmi Pande , August 2023.
领英推荐
If you are a minority woman, then we encourage you to sign up to the private community: Fearless Speaking for Minority Women , where free weekly video training, guidance and motivation is shared on topics ranging from overcoming imposter syndrome, perfectionism, procrastination and how, also, to become a confident, natural speaker to advance your career prospects.
This weekly newsletter is formed with carefully crafted posts designed to help readers achieve their success goals with clear cut direction. For those interested in creating more abundance in their lives, the posts motivate readers to adopt a necessary way of thinking with effective practises. These are all based on the experiences of the author.
Pimmi Pande has spent well over twenty years observing the behaviours, practises and characteristics of successful individuals, and those who aspire to be, and assisting individuals in creating fulfilling, successful, lives. A key focus is on how people think and communicate. Pimmi has used the results of research and experience from working in the Film & TV industry, and as a writer, to create communications and mindset practises to great effect with her international clients over the years. Much of the writing shared in this publication is a direct result of this work.?
She now mentors groups and individuals, guiding them towards how to live consciously while achieving more. She also offers motivational speaking opportunities, commissioned writing, and is available for interviews.?
To book a free consultation to work with Pimmi, click here: https://www.pimmipande.com/apply