Leaning In Works—Depending On What You Are Leaning Into...

Leaning in works—depending on what you are leaning into. Lean into purpose, and you’ll find fulfillment. Lean into fear, and you’ll stay stuck. As we prepare to close 2024, it’s time to reflect: What are you leaning into? And will you have the audacity to lean into the boldest version of yourself in 2025?

We’ve all heard the phrase "lean in." Lean into the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities. But the truth is, leaning in only works if what you’re leaning into aligns with your values, vision, and authenticity.

Many of us lean into expectations set by others. We lean into overworking to prove our worth, conforming to fit into spaces that don’t value us, and saying yes to opportunities that pull us further from the life we actually want.

It’s no wonder so many feel exhausted, unseen, and unfulfilled. Success isn’t just about leaning in—it’s about leaning into the right things with bold audacity.

Audacity is the courage to demand more of yourself and your career. It’s the boldness to say I deserve better, and I’m willing to step out of my comfort zone to get it.

For 2025, I’m challenging you to adopt an audacious mindset. Stop leaning into what drains you, and start leaning into what builds you. Let’s unpack what that looks like:

1. Lean Into Growth Over Comfort Growth isn’t easy—it’s uncomfortable, messy, and often intimidating. But staying comfortable keeps you small.

Leaning into growth means taking risks, seeking challenges, and pushing yourself to expand beyond what feels safe. It’s the audacity to fail forward and trust that every misstep brings you closer to your goals.

Ask yourself: Am I leaning into what stretches me or what soothes me?

2. Lean Into Your Vision, Not Someone Else’s It’s tempting to chase what looks good on paper or what others expect of you. But true success comes from aligning your career with your vision—the impact you want to make and the legacy you want to leave behind. It may look different to you than what others expected.

Leaning into your vision requires clarity. Take the time to ask yourself:

• What do I want my career to stand for?
• What kind of work lights me up?
• How do I want to impact the people and spaces around me?

Ask yourself: Am I leaning into a path that honors who I am and who I want to become?

3. Lean Into Significance Over Safety Leaning into safety (aka comfort) keeps you in the background. It makes you play small, stay quiet, and avoid risk. But leaning into significance is where transformation happens.

Significance requires bold steps—to speak up, advocate for yourself, and own your value. It’s about showing up authentically and unapologetically, even in spaces that may not fully embrace you.

Ask yourself: Am I leaning into what feels safe or what feels significant?

Your 2025 Challenge: Lean In With Audacity

The new year is an opportunity to redefine what leaning in means for you. Here’s how to start:

• Be Clear: Know what you’re leaning into and why. Is it aligned with your values, vision, and goals?
• Be Bold: Don’t wait to feel 100% ready. Shift. Pivot. Leap. Say yes to opportunities that challenge you and no to those that don’t honor your worth.
• Be Authentic: Stop masking who you are. Leaning in with audacity means embracing your full, unfiltered self.

A Final Note for 2024

This is our last Live Your BOLD Potential newsletter for the year, and I want to leave you with this thought:

Leaning in is about having the audacity to trust your vision, own your brilliance, and take bold action toward the life and career you desire and deserve.

As we step into 2025, I’ll be back with more insights, strategies, and bold moves to help you elevate your career and life. Until then, reflect on this:

What will you lean into next year? Will it align with your values, light up your purpose, and set your soul on fire?

Lean in. Lean boldly. Lean audaciously.

Here’s to closing 2024 strong and stepping into 2025 with boldness and clarity.

With Love,

Georgia.

Have a great Holiday!

Meet Georgia Wolfe-Samuels

Georgia Wolfe-Samuels is a CPA turned Personal Branding Coach and Career Strategist, Restaurateur, Author, and Speaker dedicated to empowering women to liberate their authenticity in their working world. With over 20 years of experience in public accounting and a profound passion for mentoring others, Georgia is an advocate for empowering and equipping women to liberate their authenticity in their working world. She leverages her expansive background to help women navigate their careers with courage and confidence through the power of their authentic personal brand.

If you’re ready to transform not just your career but also your life, and step into a role where you are valued, seen, heard, and promoted, let’s connect. Georgia offers comprehensive programs, including courses (The Redefine Your Career Brand Course), workshops (The B.O.L.D. Career Blueprint), and mentoring, all designed to empower you to show up authentically and powerfully in your working world. Learn more about Georgia at www.georgiawolfesamuels.com.

Enjoyed this newsletter? Don't forget to subscribe and share to continue receiving valuable insights and resources that help you succeed in your career.

#CareerEmpowerment #WomenInLeadership #Thanksgiving #PersonalBranding #careerauthenticity #careeradvancement #BrownGirlsRock #CorporateLife #BOLDframework #AuthenticLeadership #BlackWomenLeaders