Confidence. Couple at Burning Man 2014. Black Rock City, NV.
Confidence.
She appears on the Playa, the outer limits — just after I visit a foul-smelling blue-plastic Porta Potty. Perfect intersection of Sacred and Profane.
She towers over me, both clumsy and gorgeous in giant platform boots and Bond Girl/Mad Max bikini, goggles and dust-covered survivalist gear. When she spreads her silvery wings, strikes a pose — when her partner gazes at her with respect and wonder — that’s when it shoots through me like whiskey on a cold winter’s night. I am face to face with Confidence. A living, breathing, boldass archetype.
I thought I was confident. She reminds me there is still so much more room to expand.
How confident are you? Do you feel your insecurity loses you clients, or other opportunities?
I know it’s cost me years, and caused useless anxiety. I know it’s a big part of why I played so small for so long.
“You’re the most unconfident person with the least reason to be unconfident,” a writing teacher once said to me.
For years, from college on, I kept asking people this: “Am I a writer?” I was looking for permission.
Until one day, I got so disgusted and bored with myself, I decided to Act As If.
To say I was a writer.
To write. To take classes.
To put myself on the line.
The first time I read something I wrote in a class, my voice shook. My body trembled. I cared so much. I was that unsure.
Still, I did it. I took the action. Kept on.
Somewhere along the line, I grew into being a writer.
Now, my written voice anchors me. When I return to the page, when I express myself and my story honestly, I can feel my spine straighten. This took me years.
The cool thing is, I know how to feel it, write it, and draw it out of others.
Fast.
Which brings me to you. Do you understand I write for you? Teach for you? Stand on the stage for you? Pick up the phone for you?
Why?
Because I write to connect. I want you to open up. I want your energy to uncoil into the universe so we both spark and brighten.
It is why I’m writing today.
Because I know you have a story stuck in you, that’s keeping you from reaching the clients and prospects who’re hungry for what you have to offer. I know you feel alone, and unsure. I know you have a story to tell, a story that needs to come through you.
When you tell it, you will become Confident.
Early this morning, I experienced the blood moon rising. Out in Topanga State Park, I watched the umbral shadow of earth draw its veil slowly, slowly, across the bright fat moon. Taking bite by bite. Until there was only a sliver left. A brilliant gleam. Then it was gone. The moon became a ruddy orange button stuck in the night sky.
Total lunar eclipse.
I thought of you. How you will turn down your power so you will stay comfortable. How you will dim your light, afraid you’ll freak other people out. How you will shroud your bright energy on the phone, on the page, on the stage — as if you aren’t worth it.
Total personality eclipse.
It’s time to rip that shadow away. Or peel it back gently. Whichever suits you. So you can pour forth your briliance.
This is an invitation. Are you ready to claim your Confidence?
It’s the fourth quarter of 2014. Don’t let another year roll by where you’re not earning enough money. People need your help. The world awaits your gifts.
This fall, let’s turn things around. Join me in Fire + Flow: Your Money-Making Story 8-week virtual bootcamp. We start October 22nd. Forget excuses like you’re traveling, or too busy, or overwhelmed. All classes are recorded, and assignments are downloadable so you can work at your own pace, and at your convenience.
Stop pushing yourself to do this alone! We also host a super-lively and powerful Facebook group where you can get support + feedback from peers and me whenever I have the time. The more you post the more chance you have for feedback and to test out your stories.
Isn’t it time you stood out from the crowd? When you nail your signature story, when you learn the craft of writing vivid scenes — you will. When you marry it with sales + strategy, the world is yours. You’ll be in demand.
Are you tired of templates that don’t work, of copy that falls flat? Want to say basta to badly attended webinars and events?
If you want to add a personal touch to every interaction you have with prospects and clients so you instantly create that critical Know, Like + Trust factor, then it’s time to share your personal story — told the right way.
If you’d like to join us, if you’re ready to make a change, we are offering special pricing and easy payment plans for this week and next only. Visit http://www.yourmoneymakingstory.com to find out more and to register if you feel inspired. Or shoot us an email directly at support@writersonfire.com.
I can’t wait to share hot new content and fresh tips and techniques that connect story + sales. We have lots of surprises this time.
Are you sick of being scared? Tired of holding back?
Just say no to Personality Eclipse! Let your authentic self and story shine through for more money, more clients…and confidence that will set you free.
~
Quotation for the day, from fellow Angeleno Marianne Williamson from her book A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Writing exercise:
Act As If.
1. Write a short scene (1-3 paragraphs) from your life as an observer. A passive participant. Anything from a board meeting to a drumming circle, a wedding to a sacred ritual. An intimate moment to an athletic triumph to a TED talk.
2. Write the same scene again — only this time, as an active participant, a confident character. Let it be something you desire. Cast yourself in the lead role.
How did this feel? How did your shift change the writing? Did it open up any possibilities?
Try this out in your life today. Play a more confident role. Act As If. Let us know what happens. Any insights. Have a blast!
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