“Don’t Take the Elevator…” Part 2: Strength looks like Confidence

Check out the ENTIRE SERIES...IN A BOOK!!

 

“My confidence stands on strength.”

“To take the first step is strength, to take the next is confidence.”-The Inner YOU coaching & leading you to your dreams

I tell you one thing…there is no confidence involved in riding the elevator…just a whole bag of TRUST in some buttons that maybe working.

YOU & I both know that IS The TRUTH!

So let’s talk about it!

The steps that is…since this series is called “Don’t Take the Elevator…” and we’re on Part 2…

*I was just reminding you how Crazy it is to ride the “elevator to success”…that is all. *

Okay so YOU, ME, WE are on the steps right now, standing on Strength after we told the elevator that the fast track to success is not for us, and

We take the steps so we’re able to stand on

+ Solid

+ Unshakeable Ground and

+ Knowledge & Understanding of who we are…

Did I leave anything out???

If so, read Part 1…I’ll wait (yep it’s that deep).

And back to it!

In planning for this series, I was reminded of a popular TV sitcom family (from the 80s) and what went on before, after and while they were filming. In this family there we’re 5 kids but 1 in particular really opened my eyes to see, relate and understand what it looks like to take stairs…and have others think that a possible elevator was involved.

What I learned about this sitcom was that the producer taught the kids the business (so they were not just adorable actors)…and how to produce an episode…so much to the point that some of the episodes were produced by this 1 kid (and some of the others too) because now their talent agent had wrote in the contract for them to be paid for acting and producing!!! ---They even went on to produce some episodes of another popular sitcom from the 90s…super popular!!!!

“But what’s the point?”---I know that’s what you’re thinking or what show is she talking about…but that is not important (right now).

What really stood out about this actor’s life was what we didn’t see…

+The strength that it took to not just be an actor but the want to know more, building an unshakeable ground that can stand even when the show goes off the air.

+The strength that developed confidence to say, “I need to be recognized not only for acting but producing too.”

The steps are not a punishment!

But building YOU, ME, WE to not just be STRONG but appear CONFIDENT in our strength to keep moving on the next level…knowing that YOU deserve to be where you are.

GYC Commentary

When you take the steps, it makes it that much easier to have a foundation to lean on in struggle/opposition/setbacks/negativity/foolishness and stand firm with confidence to take the next step forward.

The first step of strength builds a foundation that says, “I’m strong because I know who I am” but the next step, confidence, allows you to walk in your strength.

There is something about strength that leads to more things and guides you to the next step. Opens the door for more opportunities and pushes you to be the best you…which reeks of confidence!

Quick GYC Rant

The fast track, elevator success is just as fake as a temporary tattoo that fades every time you wash or something rubs up against it…you can tell that it is not real!

Think on that for a second…

The steps build you up (whether you started as a kid or as an adult) to be who you say YOU ARE, and be able to defend yourself with confidence if anyone questions you.

Side Note: Defending yourself with confidence does not look defensive…as in unsure, shifty, guilty, shady, suspicious, skeptical… etc.

“Is that so???”

YES… Confidence looks like…no words needed

+ I know who I am

+ Listen to what I have to say

+ I know what I am talking about

+ Ask questions when I’m done…if there are any…

Let me Encourage you as YOU, ME, WE take the steps with this:

Strength builds the confidence that says, “I don’t have to pretend about who I am, I know what I’m doing… let me do it”

What does strength look like? Like confidence saying that “I was created/designed/set up to win!!!”

“Strength should be a garment you never take off…for it takes strength to even be humble.”

- Strength Looks Like Confidence

Check back here for Part 3…next Monday!!! “Well, how long is this going to last…'Girl YOU Crazy'”---December 3rd will conclude the “Don’t Take the Elevator…” Series…Okay? Okay. I’m almost done!!!

“Naysayers Say WHAT!?”

 

“If I stopped after every negative Nellie (unisex) told me ‘NO’… said ‘Girl YOU Crazy’ & every other negative thing…I would have no dreams at all.”-YOUR Imagination speaking the truth

“If people don’t hate on my dreams…then I’m not dreaming BIG Enough, and if they don’t have nothing to say about me…then I’m NOT TALKING LOUD Enough!”-Boldness making its morning declaration

I have to say… over the years, I have grown to love Naysayers (the surname for Dream Crushers) for a few reasons:

“Naysayers…

a.    Are Bold

b.   They do not waste time

c.    Are in need of encouragement of their own dreams

&

d.    Have the possibility of being ME… (I can naysay about my own dreams)

Don’t believe me…???

Well, LETS talk about it!

a.     Naysayers are Bold (capital “B”) with the foolishness, negativity, ignorance, and just plain ‘I don’t like it’, ‘I don’t get it’ and ‘what in the world are YOU doing’

For a Naysayer to nay- say…they have to SAY!!!---That takes BOLDNESS (and you know it!)

b.    Naysayers Would NOT waste their time beating down a dream, idea, passion or desire that does not have the possibility of actually coming into your reality

Naysayers don’t get in sinking ships…they get in to sink YOUR ship…

c.     Are in need of encouragement of their own dreams

If the Naysayer were focused on their own dream and believed that it could happen for them…they would not be caught up in YOURS.---And sometimes you have to encourage them too in the process  

d.    Have the possibility of being ME… I can naysay about my own dreams without the help of anyone else.

(I would put commentary about “d” here but…I’d rather tell a personal story…okay? Okay.)

Personal GYC (Girl YOU Crazy) Story:

While writing this, I thought about all my dreams and aspirations starting from when I was a kid, and how I feel about the same dreams today. In my trip down memory lane, I realized that EVERY dream and aspiration that was more than a one time thought…came with a long (lonnnnnnnnnng) trail of Naysayers.

And that’s why I love them…

                                                “Say What!!!”

Thinking back allowed me to realize why the dreams I have today are the dreams I started pursuing/working at/defending/fighting for/making goals towards as a kid (like 3rd through 6th grade era…yes, I’m going way back).

Every time someone disagreed about who I wanted to be “when I grow up”, I proved to myself that they were wrong, which built a foundation and strengthened my passion to go for My OWN dreams if and when EVERY, everybody says, “Girl YOU Crazy, it will never happen, and she thinks she is a  ______________....hmph.”

I had to decide that if I wanted these dreams of mine…it was going to take a fight,

Since Naysayers use fighting words!

Right or Wrong???

It was decided that if I was going to quit it was going to be on my own terms, not agreeing with the Naysayers/Dream Crushers and taking them in as my own thoughts… It is real tempting to be your own Naysayer and doubt the possibilities… especially since your own voice can speak louder to YOU than anyone else’s.

Let Me Say This…in a Few Rants (and run-on sentences):

YOU, Me, We have to build up a foundation that can’t be broken with words…so you’ll be so convinced that its going to work anyway keep pushing forward… If YOU are doing something worth talking about…YOU are doing SOMETHING (just please let it be legal and about making your dreams your reality)!...

Also, if YOU were doing something that wasn’t amazing people wouldn’t even waste their time trying to crush/naysay/be negative your dreams but go get a shovel and probably dig across the street (you know how those nay-saying haters are!)!!!

I’m almost done…

And For all the words used to set you back every time you dreamed out loud…be ready with words about YOURself that will push YOU forward! **It’s only a set back if you step back…and I just gotta be honest…YOU, ME, WE and old “Slewfoot” don’t…Do Not make a cute crew**

“If YOU don’t fight for your dreams…who do YOU suppose will?”

"Don’t take the Elevator…" Part 1: I Am Strong because I know who I am (Foundation)

Check out the ENTIRE SERIES...IN A BOOK!!

“You find strength in your foundation… So, whatever YOU put there does matter.”-Someone Wanting YOU to be Strong

 

“A house with no foundation is no house at all but a house with a weak foundation will surely fall.”-Strength

  

It’s safe to assume that we’ve all rode an elevator before at the mall, office, work, school & etc…right??? Ok, cool.

*(If not, send me an email and I’ll think of a “Girl YOU Crazy”…Crazy Creative example of your liking…okay? Okay & back to the story.)*

So we get on this elevator…

And there is always this big man on there asking with an attitude, “what floor are you going to? And what are you going to do on that floor??? Huh? Huh?”

NOPE---NOT AT ALL!!! That Does Not happen & if it does…yea I don’t know (be safe).

BUT Notice that there are no requirements/rules/regulations to press a certain floor. If they let you in the building, you can more than likely “do your thing…” with in reason (you know…legal stuff).  

You can press 3 or 23 and not have to stop in between, or even get on the elevator from the basement and go straight to the top floor…it’s simply a matter of pressing a button, no thought necessary!

Wow, it’s just so easy to get on an elevator and go to any floor, huh?!... If only this post/series was about promoting the elevator and the easy ride to getting what you want…"yea Girl that would be Crazy!!!”

And would Not help you build strength--- at all.

That’s why were talking about taking the stairs/being a step-taker…

Why??

When you take the steps…there is a big difference in how you get from one floor to another.

There may not be any rules but there are requirements:

+1st, YOU must walk… If that means putting on your cute shoes once you get there & wear your sneakers while you walk there…then, So Be It!

+2nd, YOU must climb step by step (2 steps at a time is fine because your legs are not that long…)

+3rd, YOU are allowed to stop, think, observe, get a glass of water, and/or snack in between floors & steps…Don’t be afraid to keep going or stop and enjoy.

“Life is a process…don’t try to rush it, submit to it.”

Taking the stairs will build a foundation that says “it’s going to take more than one lil setback to make me step-back…to where I first started or even before I took my first step.”

Unlike the elevator…one press/push up…one down and only emergency stops allowed.

But to warn you of the opposing/negative Nellies (unisex)/naysayers/nothing else to do but be negative & discourage you folks…let me say this (if you don’t already know):

When building YOUR own foundation you’ll find that some will say

+It doesn’t take all that to get there…'so and so' didn’t do all of that and they’re just fine…

+It will take forever to get there and when you get there you’ll be thinking 'all that time just for this'…

            -“I started at the bottom and it took me a long time to be here, it takes like 20 years to be successful doing this…so I don’t know if you really want to do this.” (Girl Shut UP---by the way this is what someone told me about 1 of my dreams…I’m a fighter, so I keep on fighting!!! Hello!)

Recognize This:

            Sometimes we’re given a foundation and we don’t even know it and other times we blatantly/deliberately/straight up decide to skip the steps, and get on the elevator just because it was offered and exciting.

“Sometimes we let excitement tell us to forget the steps…Girl YOU Crazy.”

Steps/Stairs will build a foundation and...

Foundation builds

+Strength as it allows you to stand on solid ground

+A fight in you that won’t quit when opposition/negativity knocks

+Knowledge of knowing Who You Are, Your purpose and Where you’re going

**Your foundation gives you something to stand on and for…it anchors you to be positioned & focused on living out your dreams by helping you/me/we to grow.**

GYC Reflective Rant…yes it is all pretty much one sentence (run-on, Run-On):

You can watch people who have been through so much and are still going through it…but will tell you not to feel sorry for them because what’s going on in their life is just the surface, and the fact that they’re still standing has everything to do with their foundation…Its their strength that says tomorrow will get better, keep pushing, keep moving forward, the best is yet to come but when you take that elevator, you miss all the fighting steps…you miss the process, you get dependent where you should be independent.

GYC Commentary-Last Thoughts:

++The Process, Steps, Stairs are not to keep you from getting to your dreams... faster but make sure you can endure, stand on solid ground and know what you’re talking about.

++Just like that elevator can take you up…there is nothing stopping it from taking you down…just one push and it’s like you never started.++

++Sometimes it may look like you’re on an elevator because all your hard work is paying off but pay attention, that’s your foundation telling you to “stand strong… YOU deserve to be here.”

“Don’t wait till you’re so far gone to go back to the basics, start with the basics by taking the stairs.”

I’m strong because I know who I am.

Check back for Part 2 (11.19.2012) or subscribe to the right! If you missed the Introduction of the “Don’t Take The Elevator” Series…Click Here.

Introduction: Don’t Take the Elevator…be a step taker

Check out the ENTIRE SERIES...IN A BOOK!!! Welcome to the “Don’t Take the Elevator” Series

For Dreamers of their own dreams

& Tempted by the elevator

Introduction: Don’t Take the Elevator…be a step taker

“Take the steps, it’s good for the body & soul.”-A determined mind ready to fight setbacks

“Just like the elevator can take you up with one button, it can take you down with one button…be a step-taker.”-The truth

“When you take the steps, a set-back is only a step back but it’s up to you to move forward.”-The Steps

Sometimes we think that people are turned into celebrities and/or success stories over night, given our dreams without a fight, living the life we want with no sacrifice, given fame and influence with rehearsed/practiced/fake passion.

Well at least that’s what we sometimes think…

(It’s cool; you’re not by yourself…)

Then we’re tempted to “Think” we want the same things…

Sometimes we talk about people being one-hit-wonders, not knowing that they’re built to last…while those we love, adore and thought would be here forever are actually the one-hit-wonders (crazy huh!).

Whether you have intentions of being a one-hit-wonder (probably not), there is a process/ steps to take that make you built to last and keep you dreaming new dreams, and walking worthy & deserving!

But why write about this…and in a series???---"Girl YOUCrazy"

This is not a new subject/topic but it gets brushed off so much, especially when we get frustrated, a lil negative, “why me? Why me?” about our dreams and our dreams not being in our reality, and looking at others thinking that “I want this more than they do, how did they get there? And why am I not there?” Also, I’ll admit, I’ve had “not keeping my eyes on my own paper” thoughts and to push through is a process that I’m going to talk about…so let’s talk!

What YOU might be thinking---“Yea I hear what you’re saying and all but_______”

GYC Response---- “Well…Checkback every week on Monday to read all of what I’m saying (there will be something for everyone)” & to make it easier, you can subscribe on the right!

"The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs...one step at a time." -Joe Girard

Neglect YOUR Fears

“Neglect your fears and stop sitting on the sideline…this position was created for YOU, so play it!”

 –Success saying, “You can’t win if you don’t play”

“Neglect your fears and nurture your passion.”

-YOUR passion telling YOU that victory is on the other side of fear

Remember when someone would pick on us and we’d say “LEAVE ME ALONE,” then later go play with them again…like it never happened…or maybe you’re that person that once you say it, it is set in stone and there is no changing your mind---“Leave me alone, means LEAVE ME ALONE”!

Whichever one you were or maybe still are…sometimes (that’s your business) but when it comes to fear, we may want to say “leave me alone” and keep going but sometimes/other times when fear knocks we…

            -Get up

- Ask who it is

-UPS says “I have package for you”

-We open the door

-It’s a BIG box stamped FEAR in pretty letters

            -We say, “hmm that’s weird” and bring it inside

-And before we know it, we're digging through that BIG Box of Fear!

…Signed for the package and opened it!!

Fear likes to appear comforting, attractive, and as if it’s on your team…preparing you!

GYC Personal Story:

I could tell many stories from my life where fear came to my door and I signed for the package… sat there with it eating dinner & dessert, etc. but I won’t because I’d rather tell a story of victory.

YOU know why???

…Because many people say that it’s normal to have fear and all of that…when actually, IT IS NOT…fear and doubt are twin brothers and have no business near “normal” YOU and YOUR precious future and next steps toward your goals!

                                               

If fear is supposed to be so normal, then why do so many people have a difficult time neglecting fear so it will die and be conquered?

Now, I’ll tell my story:

I was in one of my favorite college professor’s class during my junior year, and I was having a hard time getting a B and even harder time getting my A (yes I was one of those students!). However, we had one last exam for me to get back in the game!

I studied, and I studied hard…well more smart this time, as in I actually taught myself the material instead of simply memorizing it (which has worked in the past…just not for this specific/particular class).

The next day, I go to class…READY for this exam, I’m confident and bold with my answers…talking to the test and writing notes on it as if I’m in a business meeting ready for war with anyone with anything against me (or my answers)!

I finish the exam with confidence (or so I think…keep reading), the whole class goes on break, I go to the Jamba Juice for some delicious oatmeal because I deserve it…

I come back, and I start eating the oatmeal…

He looks at my oatmeal and me, then smirks

(pause: at this moment, I’m thinking that he is going to ask me about my oatmeal & where I bought it…because he does stuff like that)

and says “Can I see you out in the hallway”?

I don’t care how old YOU, ME, WE get…when someone asks “Can I see you out in the hallway?”---We immediately think “OMG What I do, WHAT Happened??? OMG” (maybe not as dramatic…but close enough).

In this moment, I’m thinking ALL bad things such as:

            +I failed this test

            +I failed this class

+He is going to tell me not to come back because there is NO HOPE…

            ----If it was bad, sad and ridiculous, I was thinking it…

BUT THEN…oh how a “but” & a comma can change a story…and emotions!

I hear my inner voice push through and say, “Keep Your Head Up” and repeated itself, “Keep Your Head Up” because I was walking like Slewfoot came to town just for me!

So my professor and I are out in the hallway facing each other (my heart is beating super fast as I push through to keep my head up)…and he looks at me as he says, “I graded a few of the tests” (I’m THINKING O-M-G-----as my eyes get big for a “quick” second and I force myself to maintain eye contact).

---------------------Are YOU ready for this next moment???

He says, “I graded a few of the tests already and you had one of the highest grades in the class. I called you out here because I wanted to shake your hand and tell you that I believe you are going to do really well in business just keep practicing, and you will do really well.”

------------SHUT THE NOISE!!!! I went to the bathroom and called my mom and did a lil shoulder dance & grinned all the way through class!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FEAR… CONSIDER YOURSELF NEGLECTED!!!

(Because I will punch you in the face with that same story every time you think you’re going to stop me!!!)

GYC Rant of the TRUTH (yes I know this is an ongoing/run-on sentence):

Fear likes to come when it’s our turn to get in the game, and start talking to us like an old friend…that is an old friend (we don’t talk to any more) for a reason and needs to be NEGLECTED and kicked to the curb…our relationship does not live here anymore, stop sending the UPS man to my door (or whatever mail package carrier you prefer…fear does like to use who/what you already know to twist the facts)!!!

**Use stories of victory over fear to neglect fear…and it will die from starvation**

Declaration: It is not normal for ME to be/live in fear; the fact that it’s here must mean that victory is near!!! So UPS man, you can go away because I AIN’T (yep AIN’T) signing for that package…return to sender!!!!!

Last Thoughts:

“If you feed your fears with attention, you’ll be too fat to move forward.”-GYC Girl YOU Crazy

You are BOLD, BOLD, BOLD…that’s what I tell myself when I’m facing great opportunity and fear starts flapping!---And YOU should too!!!

*By the way, I really like my UPS carrier/man…I’m just not signing for ANY packages labeled FEAR---Do YOU hear ME?!?!*