What Has Your Attention?

Being 1 year since I shifted from corporate to a business owner, I can’t help but become momentous and reflect during these mid summer months. If you were to ask me to project what I thought this past year would have been I would have swung far left, in what would have seemed predictable in thinking. In contrast, this year has been nothing but predictable and exhilarating in every way. 

The thing I am most proud of is coming to clarity about what is priority.  This includes being honest with myself about what matters most and defining success to largely be measured by significance and my purpose.

Fear and doubt are very real! I cannot tell you how many days I found myself stuck in my head, wrestling with the fear of failure or doubting my own abilities. Maybe you can attest to the loud voice within that can convince us to quit before we even get started. I can remember having full conversations with myself and when the conversation was over, I had convinced myself otherwise without even opening my mouth or taking a first step. 

It’s these moments that required me to dig deep within and change my view of risk. I’ve found that fear usually is tied to some form of risk that when realized stifles me from moving forward. Dr. Henry Cloud puts it best, “There is very little growth without taking risks. Avoidance of risk is the greatest risk of all.” If we want to grow, we have to be willing to take the risk and overcome the fear that comes with it. 

I don’t know where you find yourself in the pursuit of realizing your full potential. You may be a working woman that needs to gain clarity in your purpose and desires to lead others. You may be a business owner that needs help developing a strategy to move forward and at the same time develop yourself. Maybe you are a woman that knows you have many talents and ambitions but feels now is the time to actually take steps towards pursuing them.

No matter where you find yourself in pursuit, I can attest that courage to lean into the knowledge of your own value and rising to a passion, starts from within. The power comes in knowing yourself. Understanding where your true identity comes from and believing in yourself no matter what the challenges and obstacles you may face.  

To help mark this moment, it’s only fitting that I launch a new endeavor, my new blog. For this first post my hope is to inspire you to believe in yourself, to empower you to take steps towards pursuing your ambitions, and to give you some practical tools to realize your fullest potential while running your own business and influence how you lead others.

This is what I know.

We become what we think about. 

Having the right mindset and nurturing it plays a critical factor everyday for me. When I started moving my intentions from being successful to having significance, this required a shift in mindset. 

1. I have a habit of speaking out loud what I want to come true. Then, repeat.

2. I journal about everything. Be courageous to write down your most daring thoughts that you may not be ready to share with others. Especially any negative thoughts. Don’t suppress them because, believe me, they will reveal themselves again. So address them, put them in their place, then turn the page and move on. 

3. I’ve grown to allow time in my morning routine for prayer and silence. This time is protected (no kids and no hubby allowed). The transformation has come during these morning hours in just sitting and listening.

A community guards your heart. 

Accountability keeps me going. Being able to sit one-on-one with others or in groups to stretch my thinking and to help sculpt ideas continues to be a foundational element for me. 

1. I’ve held on tight to my friendships. These are the sisters that really know me. They knew Sharnell before life changing events like marriage, children, jobs, and titles. A community of sisters that sat around and listened to my hopes, dreams and ambitions. Together we know of each other's talents and abilities. When I start to doubt myself or find myself lost in pursuit, they won’t have any of it! These are the sisters that guard my heart. 

2. I’ve invested and become part of meaningful groups. These various circles consist of  diverse individuals that keep me whole and consistent.  They keep me from becoming boxed in and challenge me to show up and be an active participant even when I’m not whole-heartily convinced in my own abilities. 

3. I founded Women That Lead, a group coaching community for women as they pursue endeavors and lead at home, in the community, and industry. I encourage you to join this dynamic group if this is for you.

Invest in yourself.

1. Don’t quit your daydream but reconsider the second cup of coffee. Find ways to keep nurturing and growing your talents and abilities to pursue the very things that you find yourself daydreaming about. When I started making small investments and stopped just talking about it, then others started taking me seriously. This may come as investing in a consultant or coach, joining a support group. Either way, be honest with yourself and move ahead. 

Do the world a favor. Be intentional about how you value yourself. I’m always thinking about a generation of women and girls that need you and me. Now is the time to be intentional about how we see our own value and therefore, our ability to influence others, making what already exists inside someone come alive and visible. 

I know you will and I know you can!

Cheering you on!
Sharnell Weathersby

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