Showing up can make all the difference

Have you ever had a great idea? But too worried about what people may think and never shared it? Have you got a good story to tell or a dream that’s so big and daring that you’re too afraid to say it out loud? Just in case it doesn’t happen. Have you ever been in love but too nervous to say ‘I love you’ first?

My husband Gys started his business called Kuni a few years ago. He has spent his life in the woodworking industry, and apart from a small collection he sold to Tony Factor when he was a young boy, he never really launched his own collection. Kuni was his dream in the making, to design and create unique handcrafted furniture and art.

Gys grappled with the idea of launching his concept to market for a while. He kept wondering ‘what if’. What if people don’t like my designs? What if they don’t sell? What if no one ends up supporting my brand? But the most significant question Gys asked himself was ‘what if I don’t do it and never even try?’

Brené Brown’s words come to mind: Owning your story is the bravest thing you’ll ever do.

Owning your story and showing up does take courage. Let me tell you, it’s not easy putting yourself out there for the world to see. There will always be doubts and the many ‘what ifs’ will churn around in your mind. I had similar feelings when my book, Midlife Money Makeover was ready to launch. What if I get bad reviews? What if my message isn’t received favourably? What if people don’t like the book?

But what is the alternative? To keep your feelings, your words, your ideas and your dreams to yourself? Just in case people laugh at you or prove you wrong?

Did you know that Theodor Seuss Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss had his first book rejected by 27 different publishers; Albert Einstein was thought to be mentally handicapped and did not speak until the age of four, or read till the age of 7; Colonel Sanders was rejected by 1009 restaurants before one accepted his famous chicken recipe and franchise model? Thomas Edison who has 1093 patents to his name, failed over 10 000 times when trying to invent the first electric lightbulb.

“If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves,” says Thomas Edison.

The point is that if you are so worried about what people may think that it holds you back from doing, saying or being what’s in your heart, you may never change your worldview or the world. Think for a moment about everything you may be capable of but not doing. What are you not showing up for? What if that one idea could make all the difference?