Is it okay to be me?
Dr. Jeff Williamson
I serve leaders as an Executive Coach, Professor, Author, Gallup-certified Strengths Coach, and Host of "Leadership LevelUp" podcast.
"For the first time in my life, I feel like it's okay to be me".....I don't know if I reacted outwardly, but her words took my breath away. On one hand, I loved her statement, because she showed such a sense of relief and joy over what she had discovered that semester. At the same time, it also made me kind of sad.
Why? Because she was 19 years old and just THEN felt it was “OKAY” to be herself! In other words, she had lived her whole life before starting college, feeling it was NOT okay to be herself. Early in life, we can get in a habit of posing, acting like others who are successful, smart, or well liked. What happens when we do that? We live behind a shield, an image, a mask. When that happens, we simultaneously hide the person, perspectives, beauty, gifts, and talents we actually have.
Our world needs what you and I can bring to life and work, and imitations are never as impactful as authentic people who have come to realize that their best selves are enough. It doesn’t mean that we have arrived, or that we have perfected ourselves (that never happens as much as I wish it did!). Instead, it is knowing we have extraordinary things about us that make us unique, and that if we are given the chance to understand and grow those strengths and talents, the results can be transforming.
What are some of the ways that you have been able to recognize your unique strengths and talents? Please share some examples below. The world needs us to be our unique and wonderful, best selves. Sameness is boring!
Advising, Consulting, Coaching, Speaking, Writing, Teaching
5 年I didn’t realize I was safe to be myself until my late thirties and it took me a while to then realize who my true self was/is, my actual hopes and dreams, etc. My hope for young adults such as my children is that they live fully into who they truly are and have more time to actually live out of their true selves.
I serve leaders as an Executive Coach, Professor, Author, Gallup-certified Strengths Coach, and Host of "Leadership LevelUp" podcast.
5 年Rachel Keiko Schramm, passing this along. Great to visit with you today!
B.S. Psychology - Counselor
5 年Well I think that identity comes from Christ. What we choose to be, a mother, a teacher, a student, a thing, we believe to act so. I think that personal identiy clarifies that is ok to be good, to be charitable, loving, etc... We act so regaring to what we believe to think is true of ourselves!
Author * Writer * Disruptor * Trainer * Coach
5 年So love this!
Story gatherer | Writer and editor | Marketing professional | Presenter | Enthusiastic communicator
5 年When I discovered that Connectedness is one of my strengths. I had lived in that strength for my whole life but had never believed in its value. CliftonStrengths helped me understand and embrace that major part of me.