"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.
We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, georgeous, talented, and famous?'
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us.
And when we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-Maryanne Williamson

I just finished a class recently with other direct sales reps from the company I represent, and what became so clear to me is that all of these women who were relatively successful with their businesses felt the same way I did. These women felt fear, they felt they were not good enough run a successful business.

Why are women so hard on themselves? Why do we have these feelings of inadequacy? Do men do this to themselves as well? It makes me wonder.

Each week participants took turns sharing their leadership journey so far. Week after week I listened to so many of the ladies who articulated so well what their thoughts were on how they were doing. These ladies could have been telling my story, as they spoke I got goosebumps as I related to much to what they expressed. One lady shared that she is in a position struggling with knowing what needs to be done to run her business, and having the determination to actually do it, day in a day out. Struggles with consistency seems to be a common thread with all of us. And negative self talk ran thick amongst us all.

I have strugged with feeling like a fraud sometimes. Yes I have had some success in my business, actually if I were to be truly honest I would have to admit I have had GREAT success in my business. This past sales year I had the honor of earning Number two in personal sales across Canada award, and also number five in new business development. But as I won these awards, it felt bitter sweet, as I felt like a fraud because my sales for August were not that great. Kinda like a "what have you done lately" feeling. Why do I do this to myself? Why not enjoy my successes and accomplishments? Why must I be so hard on myself and think of myself as a fraud instead of a successful person?

This class I took was an eye opening experience that I will never forget. As I remember listening to these ladies share how hard they were on themselves and how they did not believe in themselves, I felt sadness for them. I felt like reaching out and giving them a hug and telling them they should believe in themselves, that they are wonderful. But then something happened, and I realized that I felt sad for these ladies for feeling so bad about themselves, that I wondered why didn't I feel bad about having these feelings about myself? It was a realization I had never had before. And I am so greatful that I finally woke up to how I have treated myself over the years.

This quote from Maryann Williamson said it all for how we should treat ourselves. We need to be kinder to ourselves, so that we can help others be kinder to themselves as well. Since taking this class I am proud to report that my negative self talk has been happening less and less, and perhaps one day I will tell myself what a beautiful and successful woman I have become. Gotta be kind to self!