A Blog for Big-Hearted Overthinkers

Showing up 100% means bringing our true selves to every situation and interaction. However, it's important to acknowledge that authenticity is not a static concept. Our moods, experiences, and circumstances can vary from day to day, making the way we show up 100% uniquely different each day. Showing up 100% can manifest in various ways and it is essential to honor our ever-changing authenticity.

➡️ Honoring Emotional Authenticity: Emotions are an inherent part of the human experience, and they fluctuate constantly. Showing up 100% means acknowledging and accepting our emotions without judgment. Some days, it might mean showing up with enthusiasm, radiating positivity, and spreading joy. Other days, it could involve embracing vulnerability and expressing sadness or frustration. Authenticity lies in allowing ourselves to feel and express our emotions genuinely, regardless of societal expectations.

➡️Adapting to Circumstances: Life is unpredictable, and our circumstances can vary greatly from day to day. Showing up 100% requires adaptability and flexibility. It means recognizing that our energy levels, external pressures, and personal responsibilities fluctuate, influencing the way we engage with the world. Sometimes, showing up 100% means offering support and guidance to others when they need it, while other times, it might involve prioritizing self-care and setting boundaries to protect our well-being.

➡️Embracing Personal Growth: Authenticity is not stagnant; it evolves as we grow and learn. Showing up 100% means embracing our journey of personal growth and allowing ourselves to change. Each day presents an opportunity for self-reflection and introspection. We may discover new passions, challenge long-held beliefs, or reassess our goals. Showing up authentically involves being open to these changes, even if they lead us down unfamiliar paths.

➡️ Practicing Self-Compassion: Self-compassion is integral to showing up 100% every day. It means acknowledging that we are human and that we have limitations. Some days, we might feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or lacking motivation. Showing up 100% does not mean pushing ourselves beyond our limits but rather accepting and nurturing ourselves with kindness and understanding. It means granting ourselves permission to rest, recharge, and seek support when needed.

➡️ Embracing Imperfection: Perfection is an illusion that hinders authenticity. Showing up 100% means embracing our imperfections and embracing the messiness of life. It involves accepting that some days may be more challenging than others, and that's okay. Authenticity is not about flawlessness, but rather about being genuine and true to ourselves in each moment.

Showing up 100% is a powerful practice that allows us to embrace our authenticity and live in alignment with our true selves. It is a dynamic and ever-changing process that honors our emotions, adapts to circumstances, embraces personal growth, practices self-compassion, and embraces imperfection. By acknowledging and accepting that showing up 100% looks different every day, we grant ourselves the freedom to live authentically, without the pressure of conforming to rigid expectations. 

Acquiring the knowledge we need to transform our lives is an exciting journey that goes beyond just intellectual understanding. It’s about engaging with information on three key levels: intellectual, emotional, and habitual. Each level adds a unique layer to our understanding and helps us integrate what we learn into our lives. If we overlook these different ways of knowing, we might limit our personal growth, miss out on accurate self-assessment, and struggle to connect deeply with others. It is only by embracing all three areas of knowledge that we can unlock our full potential.

Intellectual knowledge refers to our cognitive understanding of facts, theories, and concepts. It involves grasping ideas through reasoning, analysis, and logical thinking. We typically acquire this knowledge through education, reading, research, and study, relying on objective facts and evidence. For example, we might understand that eating fast food is unhealthy and can lead to weight gain.
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Example: You know that fast food is bad for your health.
Action/Result: Despite this knowledge, you may still find yourself reaching for that burger because this understanding hasn’t fully translated into a change in behavior.

Emotional knowledge encompasses the empathetic understanding we gain through personal experiences. It allows us to connect with information on a deeper emotional level, enabling us to appreciate its significance and impact. This form of knowledge helps us recognize the emotional nuances of our experiences and the experiences of others, fostering genuine connections.

Example: You have faced health or weight issues personally.
Action/Result: Even though you understand the consequences of eating fast food, you still struggle to change your habits.  At times you're able to make healthy food choices, but when your busy or under stress you default make to your old habits. 

Habitual knowledge refers to the practical application and embodiment of knowledge through repeated actions and behaviors. It involves integrating what we know into our daily routines and habits, transforming theoretical concepts into practical skills. This level of knowledge is developed through consistent practice and repetition, allowing us to align our actions with our understanding.

Example: You’ve established healthy habits and routines to support your well-being.
Action/Result: You no longer crave fast food, as you’ve cultivated a deep respect for your health and body. Because of this alignment, you find joy in making nourishing choices that honor your well-being.

When we engage with knowledge across all three dimensions, we not only enhance our understanding but also empower ourselves to take meaningful action. This holistic approach opens the door to personal growth, authentic self-assessment, and deeper connections with others.  By recognizing and integrating intellectual, emotional, and habitual knowledge, you can unlock your full potential and lead a life that is not only informed but also deeply fulfilling. Remember, it’s not just about knowing; it’s about living your knowledge every single day!​

Becoming a good leader is more nuanced that most of us assume.  Sure, we all accept that leaders DO great deeds, but the part that we don't discuss (or praise) as much in our culture is the required BEING and presence that a leader must have to be successful.   Strong leaders know who they are, and they know how to access the courage required to take bold action.  These leaders then hold that space for others, challenging them to step into the most authentic, bold version of themselves.  When a team has each individual living big and playing full out in life and business - that is when we witness extraordinary results.  

Just take a quick moment and think about someone you love to be around. Now think about someone who you personally know who inspires you.  Finally, think about someone that you have great respect for.   Now take a moment and consider, how do these individuals make you feel about yourself?  Most people report that when they reflect on the people in their lives who they hold in high regard, their inner experience is that:

• They feel good about themselves
• They feel like anything is possible
• They feel seen and acknowledged for their uniqueness

When people feel good about themselves, they work hard, they become personally invested in their results, and their creativity flows.  

Now pause, and reflect on the areas of your life where you show up as a leader.  This could be as a parent, and employee, a team captain.  Ask yourself: How do you make people feel about themselves?  Hint- this is partially what you say and do, but it is more about what you don't say.. it's what you think and the energy you transmit.  When you think about those you are leading, be it your family, employees, or team, are you thinking negative thoughts?  I often hear leaders talk in frustration about how those they lead are frustrating, stupid, incapable, lazy, or childish. 

When was the last time that you were inspired to work hard for someone who thought you were stupid or lazy?  Yeah, that's what I thought.

Here are four things you can do to become a better leader:

1.  Assume everyone is doing their very best

You can choose what you believe and what you assume.  Program yourself to assume that everyone is always doing there very best, and if you are not seeing their very best it's because something is getting in the way.  With this assumption, you can help someone discover what is getting in the way, and brainstorm solutions on how to remove it.   The people you are leading want to do their very best.  Everyone does because all humans feel good when living to their highest potential and producing their best work.  No one got up this morning and said, "I hope today I can do a really shitty job that makes everyone disappointed in me."  Of course not!  They want to do their best, and you want them to do their best.  So, if their best work isn't getting done, help them discover the obstacles in the way of their best work.  This is true service, and as we all know, the best leaders are servants first.

2.  Find what they are doing well, and celebrate the heck out of it.

Praise begets more praiseworthy behavior.  Praise is the humans like water is to flowers.  Have you ever seen a wilting, drooping flower stand up tall just hours after watering?  Humans work in a similar way.  If you have people on your team who are apathetic and low-energy, I bet they are not getting enough praise and celebration in their lives.   As a leader, one of your jobs is to help individuals celebrate all the things that they are doing right.  You are a human, so I don't have to tell you that humans are great at self beat-up, self-criticism and the allowing the monkey mind to re-hash the negative at 3am.  We are not as good at finding, acknowledging and celebrating the good about ourselves.  As a leader, be conscious of watering your employees with praise.  However, please note, this praise MUST be authentic for you to stay in integrity with yourself, and for you to be taken seriously.  Taking the time to find true appreciation in your heart for those you are leading is a prerequisite to delivering praise. 

​3.  Discover their uniqueness, and help them live authentically.

It's not just a cliche, each person has unique gifts, strengths, and a way of being.  Living your gifts and strengths by honoring your unique way of being is called authenticity.  When we live authentically is when we will really shine.   This is where the magic happens.  Think about those who you are leading, can you easily describe each of their individual authentic expressions?  If not, this is an area where you can transform you team.  When you discover (and help your team discover) what makes each one of them unique and special, you will be able to use those gifts to produce incredible results.  To read more on how authenticity impacts success, check out this article in Forbes.
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4.  Hold them as able

When you hold someone as able, you set a high bar for them, you don't take excuses, you have firm boundaries and accountability and you don't hover or over-manage.  When you hold someone as able, you recognize the capacity in that individual to achieve the goals and tasks you've agreed on.  Holding your team as able builds a culture of engagement, trust, and creativity.  Holding someone as able is a gift and a service.  It is you recognizing their greatness and holding the space for them to fulfill that greatness.