As we come to the end of another week of lockdown in Melbourne, and the dust settles on my cabin-fever-homeschool-Mum nerves, I realise it’s been a while since I asked myself a really important question. I wonder whether it’s also been a while for you too? That question is this:
What do I know?
The reason it’s so important is because unless we know what we know…like, really know, it’s almost impossible to help others learn what we know and grow with what we know.
What I realised when I took a moment to consider this question I understood this:
- I am fully energised when I’m speaking with a client 1:1 about what fuels them and how they can express this unapologetically in their own voice. I get this warmth in my chest and I shift forward to the edge of my chair, leaning in to them (or the screen as the case may be!)
- When I’m working on writing structure and grammar and order and development of ideas I say things I didn’t even know I knew! And they’re bloody good! (ha ha!) I feel like I’m channeling my gorgeous English Literature professor, and I sit outside myself, watching me instruct and nurture my clients…watching their lights turn on.
- I am very clear about what my business stands for and who I am within it. I never second guess myself about anything I post on social media because I am fully aligned. With all the talk of ‘authenticity’ over the last few years I am still surprised how often people struggle with this and how they seek my advice on how to do this bit.
I write this not to boast about what I know but rather because I forgot that I knew anything at all other than grade 3 Maths and how to bake copious amounts of cookies! I’ve been in the trenches big time, this second round of lockdown, and have often felt like I lost myself amongst the Mum and wife and daughter and housekeeper duties.
What’s wonderful though, is that I DO know stuff, important stuff that is as good and valuable for others to hear as it is for me to impart it. And I know you know so much stuff too, but that sometimes you just forget how clever you are and how special it is that you do what you do.
So, consider this a reminder!
If you haven’t queried yourself on this topic lately, and you’re floundering a little in ‘these unprecedented times’, jump in front of a mirror, stare yourself square in the eyes and ask: What do I know??
______________________
What Do I know? by Ed Sheeran
“We could change this whole world with a piano
Add a bass, some guitar, grab a beat and away we go
I’m just a boy with a one-man show
No university, no degree, but lord knows
Everybody’s talking ’bout exponential growth
And the stock market crashing in their portfolios
While I’ll be sitting here with a song I wrote
Sing, love could change the world in a moment
But what do I know?
Love can change the world in a moment
But what do I know?
Love can change the world in a moment.”