Today is full-body day. There is snow melting outside my window and a two-inch layer of ice covering the walkway from my building to the gym, and everything in me wants to turn back over and sleep until it is time to go to church. But, I am traveling for work this week and making time for exercise when I am on the road is unlikely and unrealistic. So, I force myself up and rummage through my workout clothes looking for a clean pair of yoga pants and make a mental note to do the laundry when I get back.
I don’t want to work out. I do it because I feel good when it is over. More comfortable in my own skin, more confident in my clothes, more optimistic about life and what I will accomplish for the rest of the day. Putting time in to test my strength takes my mind off of my struggles and brings me peace that I can face whatever comes next.
As I grab a set of dumb bells, I notice that my nails desperately need to be painted. The holidays are long past, and I have not removed the Christmas red paint, which is now grown out and my hands look so obviously neglected.
Now, I am not the type of girl that enjoys getting her nails done. I hate sitting in the nail salon. I am antsy the whole time, thinking of all the other things I could be doing. Not to mention that it is too expensive. I rarely get them done, but for special occasions or to spend time with my mother I will make an exception. I debate back and forth about simply removing what is left or going to get them re-polished. I think about the week ahead. I leave tomorrow for a week-long conference in which I have several presentations in front of my peers. I decide that I will make the personal sacrifice today get a manicure at the nearest open salon.
Why? Because it matters. I do not enjoy the process of getting my nails done, but for some reason the end result makes me feel elegant and confident, and I am going to need all the confidence I can muster this week. I will choose outfits that will be professional and yet edgy. Why? Because I need to feel strong and somewhat dangerous. I will get up and do 50 sit-ups and 30 pushups before I start each day at this conference so that I can start my day with a win, distract myself for a moment of my stage fright, and remind myself that I am powerful and determined and worthy.
No one will see me cranking out a short work-out in my hotel room, but I will feel stronger when I stand in front of them to speak. No one will notice my nails, but when I am waving my hands around for emphasis, I will feel more put together. No one will remember that I wore a graphic tee under my blazer with my high heels, but I will feel confident and brave for it and as a result my eye contact will be steady and I won’t have to worry if I forget my speech because I know the material and I will feel brave enough to wing it and still leave an impression.
One of my presentations is on leadership and how to develop people who have competence, but lack confidence. I think I will share this thought:
We spend so much time working for our clients. Working to get things into production. Working to pay bills. Working to get done in time to take the kids to baseball practice. We need to remind ourselves and our people that, while it is a blessing to have a career and a paycheck, that is not ALL we have that makes us successful. Self-confidence is needed to lead others well, but it can’t be defined only by hitting your numbers and exceeding the company’s budget. Figure out what makes you feel like a winner and make time to do that. Maybe that is volunteer work. Maybe it is coaching your kids’ swim team. Maybe it’s getting your hair done and going out dancing with your man. Maybe it is beating your personal best in bench-press, or running a 5K, or painting your nails in your kitchen or choosing to wear an outfit that is a little more on trend than you usually dare to. YOU time matters! Do it because it is worth it! Because YOU are worth it Your intrinsic happiness is vital to your effectiveness and directly correlates to the impact that you will have on others.
Make yourself take the stairs. Change up your style. Get a massage. Turn up your music and ride with the windows down. Buy the shoes. Kiss your husband in public. Rebel a little. Make yourself laugh. Find a way to win that only you would recognize and let it be enough that this one is for you. Because you are worth it. And because a you that is fulfilled is a you that has something beautiful to give to others.
Well Water Life 