Thanks to guest blogger, Ava Diamond
I’ve been spending a lot of my time lately talking with women entrepreneurs. I love these conversations, because the women I talk with are passionate and excited about the difference they can make — but they are often getting in their own way.
They know they want to get out and speak. They know they have an important message to share. They know they can help people and improve their lives.
But they’re holding themselves back. They think they need to have it “more together” before they get out and speak. They think they need to know more and be more first. They suffer from what I call “comparison-it is.”
If you notice that you’re holding yourself back, that you’re not stepping into your power in a big way, that you’re not getting on stage and sharing the message you are here to share, here are 10 simple steps to be more powerful in your life and your speaking.
1. Live your life today.
Don’t put your life on hold waiting to be something that you’re not. Live your life to its fullest— right now! Don’t wait until “someday,” until you “have it all together,” until “the stars line up.” Today. Now. No waiting. People need the message you are here to share. And they need it right now.
2. Treat yourself with respect and kindness.
You will make mistakes. You’re human. Forgive yourself, learn what you can, and move on. Be gentle with yourself. You deserve it. No beating yourself up.
3. Believe in yourself.
Give yourself praise. Focus on what you’re doing well. Recognize yourself and feel gratitude for all the good you do—big and small. Make a list of 25 things you’re proud of that you’ve accomplished over the last year. Make a list of 25 things you know that can help other people.
4. Visualize yourself as a success.
Your subconscious mind will act to turn your thoughts and beliefs into your reality. What we believe, we can achieve. Visualization is a powerful tool. Use it daily. Visualize getting up on stage. Visualize yourself having a fabulous time delivering your speech. Visualize your audience taking exactly the action you want them to take.
5. Develop yourself.
Take time out of each day for self development and reflection. Read (or listen to) a motivational message. Be quiet with yourself and/or your spiritual guidance. Grow a little each day. Be willing to have “beginner’s mind.” You’re not doing this because you need one more seminar, one more class, one more certification before you’re “ready.”You’re doing this because you always want to be learning and growing and evolving.
6. Choose happiness.
Commit yourself to it. It’s your choice. Choose the half full glass instead of the half empty one. I love the quote by Abraham Lincoln, “People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Happy people attract other happy people. People want to be around them. People want to connect with them. Opportunities come their way.
7. Dream big.
Acknowledge the power within you. What you can conceive in thought and believe in your heart, you can achieve in your life. Never give up. Go after what you really want. Don’t settle. Have a big dream. Then create the plan that will take you there, and take deliberate action every day.
8. Use positive affirmations.
It takes only 21 days for something to become a habit. Combining visualization and affirmations will take you into the future you desire.
9. Discover your unique purpose.
Finding your purpose or passion can be something that adds amazing focus and power to your life. Everything falls into place. Everything makes sense. Your actions are focused on the difference you want to make in the world.
10. Remember that you’re unique.
No one else can do what you do in the way you do it. Confidently share who you are. Bring your life experiences and the lessons they’ve taught you into your work. Enrich your speeches with stories from your own life. Live juicy. Tell your truth. Stand in your power.
Do any of these resonate with you? Have one you’d like to add to the list? Please share your comments below because I’d love to hear from you. Thanks so much!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: On August 21st, Ava will be presenting a free webinar entitled “ROCK YOUR SPEAKING: How to Increase Your Influence, Impact and Income with Speaking…and Get all the Clients You Want.” Discover how to captivate your audience from the first word, keep them engaged, and deliver high impact Speeches that Sell(TM). Grab your spot here.
About guest blogger, Ava Diamond: Founder of Big Impact Speaking, Ava is a speaking mentor and messaging strategist. She has created such programs as Speak Your Way to Clients and Cash and the Rock Your Speaking Academy. A professional speaker for seventeen years, Ava helps entrepreneurs rock their speaking so they expand their influence and reach, become known as the “go-to” expert in their field, and get all the clients they want. Download the complimentary Rock Your Speaking Power Pack at http://BigImpactSpeaking.com You may contact Ava at ava@bigimpactspeaking.com or at 970-224-3015.
