Recently I went on an 8 day cruise. It wasn’t your typical cruise. You see, every year I go with over 400 global affiliate marketers. These are my peeps. Many of them know me and have for many years.
I was fighting within myself trying to decide if I should stay in male mode and not “rock the boat” or come out as Gwen.
Subconsciously I had made my decision because I packed 90% for Gwen which left me an obvious choice.
Lou and his lovely wife Phyllis coordinate each event and I asked them what I should do. “Just be yourself” they said with a smile from ear to ear.
I decided to go for it.
It was concerning at first but I felt comfortable quickly. The group welcomed me and were very happy. Some even come up to me and expressed how they saw my confidence grow over the 8 days.
One guy whom l’ll not mention, approached me in front of the pizza station and asked if he could speak with me privately.
He said as he got to know me better over the cruise, it allowed him to alter some biases they’d held on to. I was flattered and got a little misty if I’m being honest. Misty to me is like balling in tears for most because I don’t cry. He got choked up as well as he was telling me. We both hugged. It was one of the highlights of my cruise.
That’s all I ask for. Treat me with respect and just try to understand. I’m just like you in many ways. I simply choose to present and express myself in a different way appropriate to me.
ARE WE AFRAID OF OUR POTENTIAL?
There’s always this wall of anxiety and “what if” that stops us. It’s called THE TERROR BARRIER.
It seems like it’s impenetrable but in actuality, it’s really paper thin. We can cross into new territory at any time of our choosing. The barrier never goes away but expands with us. It’s how growth happens. The resistance molds us to be who we are in both positive and negative ways.
THE REAL REASON
A saying is that it’s not the fear of failing or rejection that stops us but the hidden knowledge that we should be living up to our full potential that is the scariest to us. That we have so much untapped potential and we don’t want to face this fact so we retreat into the known normalcy. Whatever normal is to us.
“Better to stay with the devil I know than the devil I don’t” as the saying goes. Even if we’re unhappy and it doesn’t serve us at all!
😈I HATE MY JOB BUT IT PAYS THE BILLS.
😈MY PARTNER BEATS ME BUT ITS BETTER THAN BEING ALONE.
😈I’LL STAY “AS IS” BECAUSE BEING MY “TRUE SELF” IS SCARY.
😈I’M COMFORTABLE AT $100K A YEAR, WHY THINK LIKE A $500K A YEAR PERSON THINKS?
See what I mean? This thinking permeates our lives like a parasite sucking away our potential silently from the inside. It whispers corrosive ideas to us like, “What makes you think you can do that? You’ve failed at it before. What will people think? You don’t want to be seen as a failure… do you?”
Here’s my challenge to you.
1. Recognize the parasite.
2. Rediscover your power.
3. Realize your potential by taking action steps
4. Re-evaluate periodically and adjust where necessary.
Will you take me up on my challenge?
Let me know. I’d like to hear from you.
Be Strong. 💪
Gwen Patrone
#TransPreneur
4 Responses
Love this as we do have so much fear in just being who we are. We must get over that barrier
I did a cruise 3 years ago by myself and made the decision to go as me.
I packed all my girly stuff which meant it was all I had
It was the best thing I did. I was welcomed and embraced by several folks I didn’t know and I was me.
So yes it’s possible to get out there
Thanks Gwen
Oh that’s wonderful! It was so liberation for me as you’ve also experienced.
Way to go girl!
G
Gwen, I love your perspective on things. It has given me added impetus to just “be myself”. Thank you!
Thanks my dear. It’s always inspiring to know I can have an impact on some with my writing.
G