Failure To Try

Good morning sis! This past weekend was exceptional. Why? Because I finally bet on myself and proved that I was equipped to speak live, on stage, at my first ever summit. Feel free to check out the clip below:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXXQMw_hFxs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

It wasn’t about the fact that I killed it so I was told 🙌🏾, or that I looked bomb while doing it, it was about the fact that I didn’t allow my fears, insecurities or self-worth to motivate me (essentially the definition of “playing small”). Prior to this season of transformation, purpose and activating crazy faith, I would have been granted opportunities but found excuses to make me back out.

My message for my segment at the summit was “Quit Playing Small”. I could’ve played small when the email for the opportunity came my way, but I instead, latched on. The old me would’ve stepped into the shadows and acted like I didn’t see the email. Or found reasons to believe that I didn’t belong on that speaker stage, despite taking a speaking course - Command The Stage. It would’ve made no sense for me to do the training yet back out when the opportunity presented itself.

A lot of us, aren’t willing to bet on ourselves. We shoot down our opportunities before they even arrive. And where does that leave us? STUCK! You’ll never know how good you are at something, if you’re not willing to at least try. It's all about the effort; put your best foot forward first, before attaching the word "failure" to it.

I saw a reel on Instagram, where the VoiceOver was by Denzel Washington:

“If you haven't failed, you're not even trying”.

For example, how will you know if you're good at latin dancing, if you've never even tried to take a class? You won't know! Some may argue that by not going latin dancing, you save yourself the trouble of the hurt and disappointment. But, what if you do take the class, and your rhythm and counting are so on point that the instructor compliments you? Then, you'd probably be thinking of how happy you were to do it in the first place.

Sis, leave no room or possibility for doubt to kick in, unless you know you've truly bet on yourself. The REAL failure, is not trying at all. Had I not taken hold of the opportunity, I would not have the experience of speaking live, feeling the audiences reactions, got to network, and learned how to improve the next time. In essence it would have done me a disservice to shy away from speaking at the summit.

My message to you is QUIT PLAYING SMALL and don't be afraid to fail. Be more afraid of where not trying will lead you.