Stop asking permission to do this…

When I was a senior in high school we had to select a quote for our yearbook to go under our picture. Though I ended up going with something more robust, the runner-up quote was… “ I am what I am” - Popeye

Even then I believed in self-acceptance, yet it still seems to be something that needs some reinforcement. In 2019, when my latest book, The Connector's Advantage , was launching, I realized it was still something I was working on.

I found myself asking for permission to show my excitement about the launch in a unique way. You can check out how in this video. ?I was checking in to see if my idea was acceptable. We shouldn’t need to do that.

You don't need permission to be yourself!

When thinking about how I like to be me, I felt the need to call up my stylist friend. Her response was what I needed to hear and what I also need to share. She reminded me that style is a reflection of our personal grit, values, and brand. And if my fun and funky idea would reflect my values and brand, then I should certainly make that style choice. Making choices that reflect our personal brand and values isn't only limited to our physical appearance. In addition to expressing ourselves through our fashion or décor, we can be true to ourselves through our habits and hobbies, our causes and commitments, and simply in the way we show up, the words we choose and how we put our energy forward.?

What's YOUR personal brand? Think about this question, and then commit to staying true to you and flaunting your personal brand loudly and proudly. The world needs your whole, full, authentic self. Sometimes others need the example to give themselves permission to fully show up.

So stop asking for permission from others to just be you. Remember, you don't need permission to be yourself.

If you need tips on embracing authenticity, check out this article I wrote back in January.

50 for 50

Week 17: Donors Choose

My dear friend SanDee Priser suggested this week's charity, which was an easy one for me as I highlighted them in the first chapter of my book, The Connector's Advantage . Donors Choose is a highly trusted organization matching teachers with donors. As they put it, "We make it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education." Our family has donated to them in the past and Pre-COVID, you got hand-written thank you's from the kids. As SanDee explained, "It was founded by a teacher and allows teachers to post projects, activities or other needs for their students for which they need funding that isn't available at the school." We all know many teachers are doing these things out of their own pockets, but they have limits. SanDee loves the teacher updates and said, "It just makes me want to give more."

Click here if you'd like to join me in giving.