If you’ve ever received feedback that felt more like a door slamming shut than a light turning on… you’re not alone.
Some years ago, a manager told me:
“You’re not a motivational speaker.”
“You don’t have the audience to be motivational.”
And here’s the kicker: I believed them.
At the time, those words stuck. They burrowed into my brain and began to shape how I saw myself, how I communicated, and how I showed up. I stopped sharing the kind of thoughts that came naturally to me—ones meant to encourage, connect, and inspire—because I started thinking maybe that wasn’t my lane.
Fast-forward to today. I’m reading Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements, and one agreement hits me hard: Be Impeccable With Your Word.
It’s not just about the words we speak—it’s also about the words we choose to absorb.
Words have power.
They can build. They can destroy.
But they only get to define us if we let them.
Lately, I’ve been hearing from people—offline and behind the scenes—who tell me something I shared moved them, helped them through a hard day, or made them feel a little more seen.
These aren’t viral moments or stage performances. They’re quiet, authentic connections. And they remind me: even if it’s just one person out of three million… that’s enough. That’s impact.
So here’s the growth lesson I’m holding close:
You don’t need permission to be who you already are.
You don’t need a huge audience to be worth listening to.
You just need to trust your voice—and keep using it.
Because the words you choose to believe shape the life you choose to live.
What I’m still learning:
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The loudest voices aren’t always the wisest.
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Growth means checking in with yourself more than checking for approval.
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Sometimes, reclaiming your voice is the real motivator—not waiting for someone to validate it.
Keep growing.
Keep speaking.
Even if it’s only for that person who needs to hear it.
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