Why this is the time for you, really
We are looking at the ways women hold themselves back in their careers. The lies we tell ourselves, the rules we follow that others impose on us. Outdated suggestions. We rely on the Siri’s of the world to give us directions without giving them critical thought. We wear scars from questioning things that don't fit so we have learned to comply.
There is an opportunity in women’s leadership. Yes, the patriarchal system needs to change. It is far too limiting for the reality of the world today. We are not arguing against that. And at the same time, we cannot wait until after that happens to have more female leadership. There is so much we can do RIGHT NOW. That is our opportunity - always and especially now in these unprecedented circumstances. The systems of the world invest in us staying small. I refuse to play by their rules and invite you to refuse them too.
Let’s look at one of their rules.
This morning I realized that one of those rules is likely holding back our creativity in this moment. It sounds a little something like
“Someone else has the answer”
I have heard this from so many women over the years. They hold themselves back by looking to others for the answer. Yes, sometimes others really do have the answer. We have a specific question that can be easily answered by asking the right person. Subject matter experts do exist. And when they do, viola, we get an answer.
This, however, is the exception.
More often than not:
Scenarios are complex
The thing in front of us is territory not yet explored by anyone
We need a new way of looking at things
The person who asks something of us actually doesn’t know the answer. They are not sending us into the forest hoping we find a path they have already identified. They are asking us to find a path that they themselves have NOT identified.
Raw intelligence is not the only ingredient worthy of consideration. There is a big human component to everything.
This is how ideas are born. How companies blossom. How the world changes. Someone sees something that no one else can see AND has the courage to believe that what they see has value. Then they act on it.
A lot of people see something, but few take the action required to birth that thing into the world. We fail our ideas because we don’t trust the value of our insights.
Why is this relevant right now?
No one has the answer. Not a single person.
Know why?
We have never been here. Ever.
Yes, medical professionals and disease experts know some things (stay home). But the bigger picture is that no one has been here before. No one has the full answer. Anyone who tells you they do is lying (or in denial themselves).
That can be scary. Yes.
And opportunity is on the other side of crisis
Consider for a moment that not a single living person in the entire world has the answer right now. Dare to imagine that may be a good thing. What emerges for you?
If you tune into the world using ALL of you, what is wanting? What if you widen your view a little more to the edges you may hold yourself from seeing. This part takes courage. The temptation to tune out our brilliance is real. Allow those things in too.
What is the thing you see?
Go ahead, write it down.
Now look at that thing you wrote down. Consider for a moment that it is the most valuable insight you have ever had. What becomes possible?
Love that idea for the next 24 hours. Nurture it as though it is a perfect, innocent baby.
Then, go out there and play with it. You can invite others into your play, but do so in service of making your idea BIGGER.
Shine on,
Alicia