Written by: Kristie Kennedy, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
“A mighty flame follows a tiny spark.” — Dante Alighieri.
Imagine the power to transcend beyond inconceivable heights despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The willingness to lead with a limp can unlock the doors to exponential potential. Oprah Winfrey profoundly stated, "When you undervalue what you do, people will undervalue who you are." Five days a week I sit with pen and paper in the coaching seat and the number one confession I hear is, “I have imposter syndrome.”
The inability to believe that you are worthy of being highly compensated, or perceive you’re good enough is kryptonite to executive presence. The effects are disempowering thoughts appear in constantly apologizing, second-guessing your decisions or missed opportunities due to fear of criticism.
Self-limiting beliefs will sabotage success faster than you can blink your eyes. There are innumerable saboteurs of success yet we are focusing on the leader of the pack, imposter syndrome.
The word sabotage means to destroy something. It originated from French workers who jammed their wooden shoes (leurs sabots) into industrial machinery to stop production. It is a deliberate action aimed at weakening through disruption of normal operations.
Can you see the ultimate outcome of a negative thought? To stop you from achieving, attaining and accomplishing your goals. The saboteur’s objective is to halt and hinder a person, plan or process from being successful. The subtle intention is to undermine or overthrow an established power. Champions eat external obstacles for breakfast. On the other side of the coin is courage to confront internal barriers of brilliance created by your own beliefs.
I’ve discovered seven confidence-keys to rise above the saboteur of success which is the nemesis of next level leadership.
Awareness — powerful presence begins with acute self-awareness. In your fragility lies fortified strength and the power to realign on the inside.
Acceptance — embrace the willingness to release what was and welcome all that is to come.
Acknowledgment — vulnerability dismantles the ego and allows you to own your truth by standing in transparency.
Authenticity — you are distinct by design and never have to live in someone else’s shadow for fear of shining your light.
Audacity — nothing massive ever occurred by being passive. Dare to play by the rules you write.
Appreciation — harness the power of gratitude and the spaciousness of abundance until the mountains of frustration surrender.
Action — radical results are the by-product of relentless execution in the face of excuses.
“I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand” — Maya Angelou.
Research shows that women often sabotage their success because they lack confidence not competence.
There is no time for shrinking when you're focused on seizing limitless opportunities. Make a conscious choice to be a flambeau (a flaming torch of fire) in the heat of the fight, in the valley of the famine, in the furnace of frustration and in the face of fear. The story that has the greatest impact is the one you are repeating to yourself, and change is the perfect catalyst for a jaw dropping plot twist.
“BREATH is life. You are not the pebble washed to the shore by the wave, but the fish that swims in the wave. Breathe in to fill, to draw in the light. "SLOW." He told her, with awareness. Breathe out to empty and pause. Hold in that space between. Now breathe in...To fill.” — J.D. Robb
Pause to Ponder:
I choose to breathe in…
I will breathe out…
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Kristie Kennedy, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kristie Kennedy, The Image Confidence Expert, is a TEDx Audacious Leadership Keynote Speaker and Authentic Lifestyle Author. As the owner of Queenfidence Global Image Consulting, her electrifying inspirational gift empowers women with confidence and clarity keys to find their voice, free their voice and look fabulous using their voice. She specializes in four areas of peak performance: mindset mastery, massive momentum, magnetic messaging, and potential maximization. She is a Certified Radical Resilience Trainer who builds powerhouse mindsets to equip them for success. Kristie's evocative teaching style elevates your self-perception from stuck to unstoppable, invisible to invincible, and timid to tenacious. Her bodacious belief is a testament that you can shift from mediocrity to magnificence one daring action step at a time.
