
We’ve all heard the saying you’ve got to love yourself unconditionally.
I’m not going to go through life pretending that I love myself so I can let myself off the hook for living in fear.
Yes, it’s a conundrum for me. If the opposite of love is fear, how can I truly love myself if I’m living in fear?
Starting a business, particularly venturing to create a niche “intangible service” isn’t easy. It takes lots of courage and commitment to stand out and blaze a new path for yourself. We experience visibility fears and that annoying impostor syndrome that doesn’t seem ever to go away.
I’ve struggled with this for years. I know how painful it can be and want to give you some insight on what’s worked for me and a different perspective.
Loving yourself isn’t a feeling you can easily conjure up, at least not a real one.
That’s why I’m so passionate about helping others break free.
Here are 2 tips for loving yourself more and overcoming fears of visibility.
1. Am I expressing my love in action?
Rather than think about how can I feel love for myself, think what can I do to express my love in action. Stop focusing on yourself and how you feel for a moment and switch it to others.
At the core of branding is about how others experience you. It’s about giving people an experience, a feeling or emotion that enhances their life. It’s not about you.
Lawrence Boldt in his book “ZEN and the Art of Making a Living,” talks about your work as essentially love in action. He considers work as “an intersection of the duty to yourself to follow your bliss and make your fullest contribution.” We are motivated not by external rewards so much as self-expression and service to humanity.
So, when we think about marketing our business, think if it as expressing your love and it will come back to you in more ways than you can imagine.
2. Do you trust yourself?
Rather than work on the “feeling” of loving yourself, practice honoring yourself through learning how to trust yourself more.
As we trust in ourselves and our abilities, we love and have confidence in ourselves.
Sounds so simple, right? So why is it so hard?
There are two directions you can move in life. You either move forward into growth or move backwards into safety. Life isn’t about having all the answers but learning how to trust yourself and move forward in that direction courageously.
As Ralph Emerson is one of my favorite philosophers. He has an interesting definition of trust.
“Do you trust what is in your heart is also in your heart is also in the heart of others?” When you believe this, then you want to share your truth. It becomes a natural expression of who you are – being love in action.
The fear of visibility or self expression comes from the belief that what you know is the truth isn’t something that is in the heart of others.
We know this isn’t true. We are all human, struggling with the same issues and with the same desire to feel connected. It feels great when someone shares a story that you haven’t quite been able to articulate. That’s what sharing your truth can do for others.
People that trust what is in their heart, is also in the heart of others naturally stand out and excel in the marketing game – they become thought leaders.
Fears around visibility become a non-issue and instead you feel a enthusiasm – almost a duty to share your truth.
This year, will you be someone that trusts what is in your heart is also in the heart of others?
I hope you enjoyed this blog series and it’s given you a new perspective on becoming more visible with your message and mission. Your “work” can be an expression of your love in action. When we evolve our personality and patterns because we are committed to reaching goals, we understand why reinvention is part of life. Embrace it and have fun.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the reinvention series, please comment on my blog here and let’s start a discussion.
I’m opening my reinvention program , one-on-one branding and get it done experience. If you’re interested in receiving the most comprehensive business, brand, and life course that turbo charges excellence in your life, you can apply here.