WEEKLY WISDOM - INSECURITY

Insecurity: uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence.

My palms are sweating, under arms dripping, stomach churning, butterflies making their home in the pit of my stomach, the beading of sweat is pronounced on my forehead, my legs feel like they are cemented in steel, and the voice sounds like I am going through puberty again. These are many of the physical signs that I would experience as a speaker or facilitator early on in my career. It was all due to the insecurities that I had about myself and this became the narrative that I kept playing in my mind. Not because there was significant evidence that I would fail, but because of a lack of confidence in myself.

The phrase “never let them see you sweat” takes more than anti-perspirant under the arms. We all deal with some level of insecurity in many situations. I promise you every time I walk on the stage for a presentation, facilitation, as a moderator, or a panelist, I still have some level of insecurity but from a different perspective which I will explain later.

Insecurity can rear its head in many forms. Think about it. It can be something that someone said to you that cracks your confidence. It may be from you comparing yourself to others who you think may be much better than you. Insecurity may be more pronounced based on what you think others will think of you and question your credibility. It can also be because you think you haven’t prepared enough even though you have spent hours on every aspect of your participation and leadership.

So as a leader, how can you alleviate or lessen the insecurities you may feel when you are placed in an uncomfortable or awkward situation or even when it’s part of your responsibility?

Below are some great points that can lessen your insecurities as you battle through this process.

•            Here’s the first and main point. Know that this is normal to feel nervous in the

preparation and right before you are set to execute. Call this nervousness and not

insecurity.

•            Next, stop comparing yourself to others. Stay in your lane as you have been gifted

to share the best version of yourself with others. Whatever others say about you

should fuel you to be at the top of your game.

•            Mentally tell yourself that you are prepared for this moment and that you add value.

•        Lastly, you have prepared yourself through prayer, practice, positive

pronouncements, and purpose.

So now back to my different perspective on when insecurities try to rear their heads, especially when it’s time to execute. My hope is that my audience has a transformational experience, my team will receive value from the information I share, the audience is educated through the discussion that I facilitate, or that my moderating will help the attendees take away actionable next steps. My secret has been that the focus is not on me anymore, but on those that I serve.

Focus on these scriptures as you challenge your insecurities: Philippians 4:6-9, Matthew 6:31-34, and Colossians 3:17.

(EQUIPPING)

Exercise Your Power this week

1.       In your own private time, name your insecurities and why that pertains to your

profession and in life. 

2.       Determine strategies that will help you overcome those insecurities.

3.       Identify your strengths and how they can serve others to lessen your insecurities.