What It Means To Be "Seen"

When you have clear confidence in your purpose, you can go years and years without seeking outside recognition. But when it comes, it's a chance to pause and reflect on what others see in you. Here's what happened to me this week.

I got the notification that I was nominated for an Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Award.

To say I'm humbled is an understatement.

I'll tell you a secret, though, years ago, before I truly owned my calling and the unique way I deliver my magic, I would have chased a recognition like this to prove I was worthy and of value to the world.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to achieve recognition. There is a place for it as a definition of success (I talk about it in 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙐𝙥 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩) ⁣. Still, there is a point when pursuing outside validation can become a crippling obsession that, in my case, leads to excessive people-pleasing, non-existent personal boundaries and exhausting over-delivering.

I've learned for myself and the clients I teach that the freedom from this typical Type-A life is the clarity to hone in on precisely what one delivers that no one else can and then use that to drive any leadership, business, cause and action.

Since I started Hue and Style® over ten years ago, I've been in that sweet spot  - and it's cool that I get to help my people get there too and show up looking stylish and confident as they do.

Seeing this award nomination experience as an affirmation of my impact and legacy, not as a validation of my worth, feels like freedom. 

And to me, this is the most authentic meaning of being "seen" in our lives - for our truth that sets us free.

What's the truth in you that sets you free and how are you cultivating your confidence to share it?

There's a little reflection and journal work for your today.