Hey Business Peeps!
So I'm a HUGE fan of Oprah (#shero) and the OWN network and recently they partnered with best selling author Brene Brown to help spread the message and power of vulnerability. Brene has found through her research that despite conventional wisdom being able to live "whole heartedly" does not make you "weak" but rather unlocks your creativity, innovation, and courage. And I agree. Only when approached with your greatest fear does one realize their greatest power. But to get there you have to go through this mental fallacy of who you "are" and how you need to "be." I recently learned the lesson about the vulnerability and the power you can gain from sharing your humanity. I was struggling with some personal problems and instead of sharing what I really felt I covered it up and eventually the whole thing blew. Instead of my utter demise (as our imagination/fear would lead us to believe) I actually became free! I was free from having to pretend and also free from having to care because I realized I am inherently worthy regardless of my stuff, status, or people's approval. Beautiful!
As a business owner you often feel the need to protect yourself and your business from potential harm. While some protections are necessary (trademarks, contracts, employee agreements) too much can create a wall between you and the very people you came to serve. Further to be able to create the type of successful business that you were meant to have you have to CREATE and too much "safety" does not foster the most creative environment.
So at the root of the vulnerability movement is the message that people should come out of the need for protection, perfection, and fear and trust yourself and even better other people with the truth. The truth about what's really going on, what really happened, and what you really need. None of that Waspy, "We're fine," BS but real, honest, and empowering truth. The moment you choose to be present, honest, and open is also the moment where you allow yourself and others the space to come into the situation with understanding, support, or even solutions. And to be real and connect is the essence of being human. In this world of so many "connections" at the end of the day we all want to know someone hears you, understands, and wants to help.
Its just that simple but also that profound. Its terrifying and freeing. Its vulnerability and humanity and its beautiful!
So here are some steps to bring more vulnerability to your business:
- Get the Truth - Discover and tell yourself the truth about where you really are, what you really need, and where you're really going. If you're struggling then you're struggling, if you're fine then be fine, if you're in a good space than be in a good space. But really become fully aware and experience the truth about every aspect of your business. You may be self-inducing struggle, isolation, or unnecessary stress upon yourself thinking you need to hold on to things that you cannot do alone. Also due to the "lack of time" we impose on ourselves regarding everything, you may be missing creative solutions for yourself or "leaving money on the table."
- Share the Truth - Be wise but share the truth with the people that work with or in your business, and your support system, but only those that you trust. Now I know again who does that? What will they think? What will they say? What will you do? The truth is If they're really perceptive and care about you they may already know. Lastly those that are meant to be in your life and experience your business will not care and those that are not will be given an excuse to do what they already wanted to do which was leave. And either which way you will be better for it.
- Live the truth! - Fully armed with the truth begin to fully align your values, purpose, and vision to what you do on a daily basis to grow and develop your business. You cannot really believe in something and not practice it. And regarding business you cannot eat what you didn't work for to grow.
I'm taking bolder steps in my walk to being vulnerable and I promise you that if you start you'll realize (1) you're not alone, (2) this is where you were meant to be all along!
Below is Brene's Tedx Talk!
Have a great week and start opening up to being human!
Until next time keep on your straight path!
http://www.ted.com Brene Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk at TEDxHouston, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share.