It’s time to be bold!
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One big way to Live Big is to be bold.
There is a chapter in my book about why being bold is so meaningful and how to bring more boldness into your life.
And, being bold is not a simple thing for many of us to consider and embrace.
Boldness is a topic I have been focused on lately, in my life and in my work with clients. That focus led me to create a new keynote entitled, Embrace Your Bold: Amplify Your Voice and Increase Your Impact.
To present this hour-long talk, I went deep into what bold really is and how we can each build our bold. It was a great journey for me, and I have loved sharing it with audiences.
And while I cannot share all of the content of my talk here, I want to give you a few key points, as well as a take-away that I hope you will find inspiring.
What does bold really mean?
Most people have preconceived ideas about what “bold” is, and what it looks like. It’s important to know that being bold— whether that feels great to you or off-putting — does not mean the same thing, and is not the same, for everyone.
My definition of bold used to include being loud, brash, and fearless. (And not being a loud, brash, or fearless person, I long struggled with the idea of being bold, much less how to be bold.)
What I have come to understand is that one can be bold and present quietly. One can be bold and serious. Introverts, extroverts and ambiverts, those filled with wit and those lacking humor, can all be bold.
Bold is a completely personal set of beliefs and understandings of what’s bold for YOU.
Faking bold does not work
Because many people have a concept of boldness that does not match who they are, they try and fake being bold (as they think bold is supposed to look).
If you have tried to fake boldness — as I did in the past — you have likely concluded that it does not work very well.
In addition to feeling awkward (or worse), when you try to be someone you are not it rarely comes across to others in the way you want.
The key is to embrace your authentic way of being bold. When you do that people will sense it and be responsive.
Here’s a great first step to try
To find and embrace your unique bold entails a multi-step process that I teach in my keynote.
And, here is one thing you can do today, that will help you to gently usher in boldness.
Take one tiny step that is outside of your comfort zone.
That’s all!
What is one small thing can you do that is beyond the edge of where you feel comfortable?
It could be planning how you might approach a delicate conversation.
You might wear a piece of clothing in a color you love but have hesitated to put on.
Maybe you will propose an agenda item for an upcoming meeting that you have been thinking about but not acted on.
You might ask someone for help.
Maybe you will tell someone how much they mean to you.
Choose one thing and do it.
Be your bold!
When you take one very small new step today, and continue to do that every day, you will soon find that this gentle practice builds your bold.
Your authentic bold will start shining, and will continue to get brighter as you go!
I would be delighted to hear from you when you bring this idea into daily practice. Email me to let me know how it goes.
