Being Perfect isn't Required to Inspire Others

I'm going to open myself up here and share what's been on my heart for a while. Even though I consider myself to be a confident person, from time to time I feel anything but. One thing I've really struggled with over the past few years as it pertains to finishing my book (which some of you have been asking me about), is that I want to inspire and even be a role model to others, especially young women, and yet I'm not perfect in all the things I share on this blog or write about in my book. I know, I know-who is? I was raised by two loving, awesome parents but our home was filled with perfectionist expectations at times that has no doubt rubbed off on me and that I've carried for years into adulthood.

Sometimes I really mess up and it shakes me, it makes me question whether I'm qualified to even write this book or this blog! I suppose the positive is that I'm self aware enough to realize the moment I say or do something that I'm not pleased with, that there is always another chance to make better choices the next time. The quote above was a much needed reminder and confirmation for me that we can still inspire others even though we ourselves are not perfect. Even though I know that none of us are perfect nor called to be, just perfected over time, I have created unnecessary pressure and fears causing me to put my beloved work on the back burner quite often.

Now, sometimes pressure is a good thing as it comes as the result of evaluating where we are at and where we'd like to be in various areas of our life. It can help propel us forward and challenges us to be better, but other times when too much is present, it can be crippling. I've really wanted this book to be a blessing to other women who desire to be elegant, ladylike, graceful and classy. Sometimes even when everyone around us believes in us and sees our abilities and gifts, we still lose sight and do not see what they see in us or the very gifts God has given us to share with others.

The other day I had the pleasure of receiving a message on Facebook from a lovely reader whom I've never met before, only conversed with via the blog and on Facebook, she's been following along for a few years. I was so touched and blessed by her words which I could only describe as a confirmation from heaven of one major thing I wish to accomplish this year which is finishing the book. The timing couldn't be more perfect as I had finally turned a corner weeks earlier building myself up, squashing my fears and just accepting myself as the flawed and imperfect woman I am-someone who can still inspire, impart wisdom and provide real ways to become one's best self as a classy woman regardless of her own faults at times, as none of us are without faults. I'm grateful for her encouragement and thoughtfulness in reaching out to me which I'm convinced was orchestrated through the Lord who has heard my prayers and wanted to lift me up!

Friends, I'm happy to tell you that I'm back on track and cannot wait to announce the release of my book in the coming months. I'm also going to do my best to post more often here on the blog also. This book has been a labor of love and a good portion of it is already written, however I have more to add and a lot of editing to do. While I had the cover designed a few years ago when I had originally planned to publish it, I'm sketching out some new ideas for that as well. I'm excited not only about the final product but the journey, it's teaching me a lot about myself along the way, things that I could never have imagined.

I write all of this to say that it's okay not to be perfect! If I've held myself back because of this fear, I know I'm not alone. There are others doing the same right now and I'd hate for anyone else to miss great opportunities, put their dreams on hold or withdraw from positively impacting another's life because they feel as though they aren't good enough as they are right now! I want to encourage you through my own example that it's okay to make mistakes, they are proof that we are trying.

Thank you for letting me share what has been on my heart with you. Sometimes it just helps to get the words out and off my mind. Perhaps it will explain why my blog posts have been a bit sporadic at times. Sharing all of this with you also keeps me accountable too, I take keeping my word seriously so now I have some work to do to make my dream a reality.

Have you felt this way in a particular area of your life? Has it prevented you from reaching your wildest dreams? Have you been in a similar place then overcame those feelings, I'd love to hear from you! All encouraging words are welcome. :)

Wishing you a wonderful start as you enjoy the first few days of this New Year!

XO

Take Chances to Make Advances

My husband's motto in life is, "If you don't take chances, you can't make advances". You see he's a risk-taker, he's the kind of guy that REALLY puts himself out there and isn't afraid to make mistakes. I love that about him, in fact I wish to be more like him in that regard. We're wired a bit differently. I'm the Type-A who likes to plan trips by making lists and crossing off each item as it goes into the suitcase, organize CD's alphabetically and lining all my ducks perfectly in a row while he's all about figuring it out along the way, he'll cross any bridges while he comes to them . In terms of work opportunities I like to over-analyze and plan for a whole slew of possible outcomes, obstacles and scenarios. This analytical mind of mine can be a wonderful thing sometimes but many times it is the very thing that holds me back too.

Lately, I've noticed in several areas of my life, whether it be re-decorating my office or preparing for a meeting that I spend way too much time trying to plan to have things run perfectly smooth and avoid mistakes that often times I never get the project off the ground and when I do it isn't always in the most timely manner. In life we cannot plan for everything, and dare I say that is the very JOY of life-not knowing how everything will turn out in the end!

Last week I got a call about an opportunity that was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking all at the same time. Thinking of the possibilities made me giddy knowing that it could be potentially life-changing but taking a big step into an unknown world made me feel fearful and I caught myself trying to find a way out of it quickly as to avoid any possible failures or unpleasant outcomes. I kept thinking, "what if I'm not what they thought they were getting", "what if I don't perform in the way they had hoped for" and then I came to my senses and reminded myself that I didn't go looking for this opportunity, it came knocking on my door. All we can ever do is our best by preparing in advance and being ourselves once we're there and forget about the rest. When we live that way we can never lose in life. Two summers ago, I wrote this post, clearly I was a little more fearless at the time!

As much as I sometimes fight with my mind over taking such chances, it is when I embrace them wholeheartedly and put myself out there and try something new that I'm most proud of myself. Even if it doesn't go exactly as planned, taking a big leap in life is half the battle. These are the past successes that tend to stand out in my mind when reviewing the previous year in preparation for the next. I truly believe that the greatest rewards in life come from taking the biggest risks.

This year, although it's not going to be easy for me, my focus is to live outside of my comfort zone. I don't want another year to go by and wonder what more I could have accomplished or at least attempted had I not let fear get the best of me. It's really about mind over matter.

How about YOU? Are you with me? Any other Type-A ladies crazy enough to make such a declaration for 2012? One thing is for sure, our lives will never be the same!  :)



*images: (1), (2), (3)