Not Good Enough?
I think you’ll find you are!
Why do we sometimes think we’re not good enough? Why do we find it difficult to accept a good spirited compliment?
Everyday I come in to contact with the most amazing, capable, creative women, who are passionate about what they do, their families and the world around them.
So why do they sometimes think they aren’t good enough and undeserving?
I have to say, I on occasions I put myself in the above category too, not celebrating my achievements, but brushing them off as, ‘We’ll, I’m ok, I’m not the worst!’
Playing down our achievements and being embarrassed by our successes is all too common.
Why?
I used to think it was a British thing. As a nation, we generally don’t like to come across as over confident or cocky, but this is clearly not true because there are exceptions.
The majority of men (not all!) that I come across, have no problem in accepting compliments and being confident in their achievements. I did consider some of this to be arrogance, but I have realised that most of the time it isn’t — they are just comfortable in their self worth. They can see the hard work they have put in, and they are happy to pat themselves on the back.
And why shouldn’t they? If someone has worked hard and achieved something special — then fair play, they should be proud of themselves! Women don’t do this and as a result, we are underrepresented in pretty much every field.
We always have something important to bring to the table, we just don’t sit down.
I’m not sure who said the line above, but I completely agree.
Yes We Can!
I love this strapline championed by Obama, and when he delivered his speech he was talking about everyone, not just men. Women need to believe this too — YES WE CAN!
I have found things challenging in my personal and professional life and the one thing that has pushed me forward is the belief that there is always light at the end of the tunnel — you’ve just got to keep on moving towards it.
I think I owe a lot of this to my parents, my mother especially. I was brought up to be fiercely independent, and with a mindset that it was ‘ok’ to dream big. I learnt the importance of women feeling fulfilled at home and at work, and that they could be leaders and innovators too.
We are all individuals
In my life now, my family are the centre of my world. That being said, it doesn’t mean that I have to sacrifice everything else that is important to me, to facilitate their happiness. Long before I had my children or met my husband I was an individual, with my own ideas, passions and goals.
Having a family hasn’t made me forget those things, because they have always been a part of me. There have been times, when I have compromised these for the sake of my family, and I have found that during these times I have not felt like myself.
By recognising this, and deciding to take action, I have now set myself along a path where I am now more determined and definitely more fulfilled. I have prioritised my life and scheduled in time for me to explore my passions. None of these decisions have affected my family negatively, in fact they have seen the benefit, because I am much happier and have a greater appreciation of time and quality time.
The happier I am, the happier they are — who knew!
