Putting yourself out there is DAMN SCARY.

In fact, I think we probably all battle with this ‘Should I put myself out there?’, ‘Should I not?’ on a regular basis. Because, failure.

Failure is one of those anomalies that we are SO AFRAID of (thanks mostly to social conditioning since school), but in order to do anything remotely extraordinary, we have to face up to the very real fact that failure is definitely an option.

But so is success.

So we have to dare to play with failure as a down payment for the chance of success.

I love what J.K Rowling says of failure:

 

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously
that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case, you fail by default.”

 

Just over six months ago, I actually told my coach that I was both afraid of putting myself out there and of not. She may have laughed at me (just a little).

Yes it’s a huge contradiction but, at the same time, there is some sense to the madness. The inner turmoil of being seen (and potentially falling on your face) versus not being seen (and forfeiting your big dreams in the process) is one I’m sure I’m not alone in.

But, at the end of the day, we have to choose one or the other – sorry, that’s just kind of how it goes in this crazy world we live in.

For me personally, in an attempt to combat that, I decided it was time to get out from behind my computer and host an event. I didn’t know if anyone would come and just ask my coaching bestie, Jade, and she’ll tell you all about the resistance that came up for me when I finally decided to get moving on this.

But I got past it. I put it out there, I shared it and asked people to come along.

And, would you believe it, tickets started selling straight away.

People were excited and grateful that I’d put the effort in to organise it.

Even people I didn’t know bought tickets.

Because the second I stopped making the ‘putting myself out there’ about me, and treated it as a great opportunity for others, all that fear went away.

The outcome of the first Beauty Of Life event – a high tea for bloggers and business women – was an absolute success.

The venue was adorable and full of tasty treats, all of the attendees got to meet and chat with new people, and some amazing sponsors – including Renegade Collective, Madame Flavour, Rimmel, OPI, Philosophy and Sally Hansen – joined in on the fun as well.

The support and the feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive and I know that everyone who came along was able to take something away from the experience.

And, for me? The thing that I learned was about what happens when you put yourself out there.

It is a bit scary, you’ll probably meet a lot of your own resistance, and you’ll make excuses NOT to do it until the cows come home, BUT if you just believe that it will all work out no matter what, you might find yourself surprised by the result.

That people will step up and support you.

That you have something to offer and there are people out there who need that.

That when you take a chance, a leap of faith, because your heart tells you it’s the right thing to do, nothing but amazing things can come from that!

Even if it doesn’t go as planned, or putting yourself out there means you encounter that old friend, failure, there’s always something to learn. Nothing is wasted if it’s done with the best intentions.

And now? I can’t wait for my next event.

I also want to thank everyone who came along on the day to make it such a great experience filled with so many beautiful women.

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And now I want to ask you to think about where you have been playing small by refusing to put yourself out there:

:: What’s holding you back?

:: What keeps coming up over and over for you?

:: How is that resistance showing up for you?

:: Why do you think that is? What are you most afraid of?

It’s funny that when you ask these questions and think of the worst possible outcome of putting yourself out there, suddenly you realise that the worst outcome isn’t that bad. That you will survive. And just acknowledging that can take you to totally new heights.

Trust me!

If you know someone you think could do with a little nudge in this area, please send it to them too, who knows how you might help them!?

When have you put yourself out there and been surprised by the amazing results? Let me know in the comments section and if you want to come along to my next event, get on the events list here.

 

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