In the previous blog in my A to Z series, “Be Yourself”, we talked about how important it is to simply be who you are—just your incredible self. I ended that blog with a quote I love:
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
It reminds me of being in a fast-track corporate training program early in my career. I was working for Ralston Purina, where I reported to the Vice-Chairman, Paul Corneilson. I wondered why I was the only one selected for this program—me, the son of a fisherman with just a willingness to work hard and boyish curiosity.
Many nights, I lay awake not believing that I belonged in a board of directors meeting. I couldn’t believe that they would pay the money for me to go to the Northwestern University Executive Program. I doubted myself all the time.
Even to this day I sometimes doubt my own abilities, but this is a major mistake that we all make. We not only need to be ourselves in all situations, we have to believe in ourselves and believe that the reason we are in the position we are in is that we, as ourselves (and just ourselves) are incredibly talented. If we believe in ourselves and are always true to who we are, our incredible self will emerge for everyone to see.
I realize this is much more difficult than I am saying (it certainly was for me) but just go for it! Be yourself and believe in yourself and watch what happens.
Oh my! I feel the earth shaking already—
YEAH!
AZ
