I am extraordinary. I am also so, so ordinary.

Last week, I participated in the Business Breakthrough Retreat hosted by Superstar Activator Michelle Villalobos, a fabulous, energy-filled woman I met through the National Speakers Association.??

I’ve been on Michelle’s email list for several months, have followed her on social media longer than that, and in every post and message, she addresses her audience as “Hey Superstars”.??

It took me until the THIRD DAY of the retreat (20+ hours in) that I. AM. THE. SUPERSTAR she is referring to.?

Superstar Activator sounded like a fancy title for someone who has done amazing things, as Michelle has done building her business over the years. On the third day, it hit me that it’s not her title, it’s what she does.?

She activates superstars.?

And I’m one of them.

That realization had me dust off this article. I wrote this headline and some very, very head-driven copy at the end of 2023. I referenced a research paper that proves why believing in yourself is important. I included a list of well-researched open-ended questions for you to ask yourself.??

Today, I’m throwing that all away and writing from the heart.

I am extraordinary, yet so, so ordinary.?

I imagine you often feel the same way, too.?

Last week is a perfect example of this extraordinary meets ordinary:?

• Thursday AM: Attend business meeting where I arrange logistical things (ordinary)?
• Thursday all day: Attend retreat where I simultaneously feel amazing and like an impostor (stuck in the middle)
• Thursday during breaks: Walk dogs, cook food, make sure kids have dance, soccer, softball equipment ready for practice (so, so ordinary)
• Thursday 9 PM: Deliver (stellar, exceptional) virtual keynote to the dentists of British Columbia (extraordinary)?
• Friday AM: Lead webinar for 470 coaches from AROUND. THE. WHOLE. WORLD. (extraordinary)
• Friday all day: Attend retreat where I start to feel more amazing than impostor?(emerging from the ordinary)
• Friday during breaks: Rinse and repeat from above (so, so ordinary)
• Saturday: Declare to all retreat participants that I am going to live out my own message and LET HER OUT even more (On Fire)

I have a post-it on my bulletin board that reminds me that my best, most extraordinary days are when I am:?

• Made Up
• On Stage
• Of Service

I also live in a reality where in between being on stage and of service, I complete many ordinary tasks. My (short) list of ordinary tasks includes:?

• Grocery shopping
• Picking my kids up from the bus stop
• Driving my kids to all of their activities?
• Cooking dinner
• Walking the dogs?
• Watching TV?
• Scrolling social media?
• Reading a book
• Vacuuming the floor?
• Doing laundry?

Many of us dream of living an extraordinary life 100% of the time. The problem with this expectation is that we get down on ourselves on the days when nothing particularly special happens.?

That’s why I’m embracing the idea that I am extraordinary, and also so, so ordinary.?

So are you.?

It’s taken me 4 months of Shedding the Heavy to be ready to Let Her Out (again).?

In some ways, Shedding the Heavy feels like a prequel to Let Her Out: Reclaim Who You Have Always Been (who would like to see that as a second book? Let me know in the comments!)?

What’s up to you is defining what makes you extraordinary. Embrace the extraordinary moments along with the ordinary ones.?

I’m inviting YOU (or someone you love) to join me on this quest to Let Her Out (again). Send me a DM and we will schedule a time to connect about the plans I built over the weekend and how you can get involved!??

Thank you for reading this article. I draw on my experiences as a coach, author and speaker, as well as my roles of wife, daughter, mother, sister and friend to create content on meaningful connections and living authentically. I'm currently documenting my 6-month Quest to "Shed the Heavy" and invite you to subscribe and follow along. Other work that might be of interest: 52 Weeks of Meaningful Connections and my bestselling book Let Her Out: Reclaim Who You Have Always Been.