Episode 11: Why We Avoid The Things We Need The Most

Pam Hamilton [00:00:00]:
You're listening to becoming seen, the art and science of creating authentic visibility with your host, mindset and visibility expert, Pam Hamilton. Episode 11, why we avoid the things we need most.

Joan Hamilton [00:00:22]:
Welcome To another episode of Becoming Seen, the podcast where you explore the art and science of creating authentic visibility So you can find the courage to be seen, heard, valued, and create a life you love with your host, mindset and visibility Expert Pam Accrington.

Pam Hamilton [00:00:46]:
Hey, everybody. Welcome back to another episode of Becoming Seen, the art and science of creating authentic visibility. I'm your host Pam Hamilton, and today's episode is a deep dive into something we all grapple with, avoiding the very things we need the most. Now you might be wondering why we do this, especially when it comes to stepping into the spotlight and being seen and embracing what we need for personal professional growth. And guess what? You're not alone. I used to be right there with you, and today, we're gonna unravel this together. And I wanna start by sharing a story with you that might sound eerily familiar. It's about a former client that I'm gonna call Susan.

Pam Hamilton [00:01:41]:
Susan is an amazing, brilliant, introverted woman who's been dancing with the shadows for far too long. She's not alone, though. Right? Maybe you see a bit of her and yourself. Like many of us, she has spent most of her life avoiding the spotlight. Even though she's highly intelligent and skilled in her field, She was one of the best kept secrets in her industry because she was struggling with self confidence and impostor syndrome. Sound like someone you know? Susan's story is a tale of potential left untapped, dreams deferred, and fear that held her back from becoming who she was meant to be. It's a story I know all too well because once upon a time, it was my story too. But today isn't just about the struggles.

Pam Hamilton [00:02:43]:
It's about understanding why we avoid the very things we need the most. Why do we shy away from the spotlight that could illuminate our path to success? Susan's journey is a journey many of us embark on. The journey to find the courage to be seen. Now let's talk about why it's so crucial to face our fears and embrace what we need most anyway. Like many of you, Susan spent sleepless nights worrying about missed opportunities, unfulfilled potential, and the impact of insecurities on relationships and success. These were the things that kept me up at night too, and the things that are probably keeping you up. So why do it? Why avoid what we really need the most? That's the $1,000,000 question, isn't it? And the answer is fear. It's that simple.

Pam Hamilton [00:03:42]:
Fear of judgment? Fear of not being good enough? Fear of being seen and not measuring up. Trust me. I get it. I've been there. But I wanna share some insights into why that is, and more importantly, how to break free from these patterns. But let's start by just let's acknowledge that the fear of visibility is real, and it affects us in both personal and professional for years. And here's the kicker. We often avoid what we need most because It requires us to step out of our comfort zone.

Pam Hamilton [00:04:25]:
It demands vulnerability and embracing our uniqueness even when it feels safer to stay in the shadows. But what if I told you there's a way to turn that anxiety into a catalyst for growth? I wanna share a few powerful tips that can help you the same way they've helped me and my clients. So like I said, start off, number 1, acknowledge the fear. Embrace it even. Okay? It's okay to be scared. It's okay to feel vulnerable. Courage has never meant the absence of fear. And hiding from it, Pretending it's not there rarely helps.

Pam Hamilton [00:05:12]:
So go ahead and acknowledge the fear because it's the first step towards conquering it. And embrace your uniqueness, your quirks, your strengths, your differences, your introversion. These are your superpowers. Embrace them. Learn to love these qualities about yourself, and you'll find it easier and easier to find the courage to stand out. Take small steps. Moving forward doesn't mean taking giant leaps. Right? Jima Simmons, a character in one of my favorite shows, Age of the Shield, used to say, the steps you take don't have to be big.

Pam Hamilton [00:05:56]:
They just have to take you in the right direction. And I love that quote because it encourages small, consistent steps, and those build momentum and confidence. Number 4, rewrite your inner dialogue. Your mindset and your constant self talk play a huge role in this journey. So replace that self doubt with self love. Challenge those negative thoughts and replace them with affirmations that lift you up. And 5, connect with others. Don't try to do this all alone.

Pam Hamilton [00:06:35]:
Okay? Connect with like minded individuals. Share your experiences, and build a support system. In fact, I have created a community and safe space on Facebook for folks just like you to come and be able to do this journey together. The group is called building visibility for solopreneurs and small business owners. I'll be sure to put the link in the chat, but come by. As we wrap up this episode, I want you to remember, regardless of your outside circumstances and conditions, You have the power to rewrite your story just like Susan, just like me. That's it for today. Thanks for tuning in to becoming seen.

Pam Hamilton [00:07:26]:
And if you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe. Leave me a review, and most of all, share it with someone who needs that extra push to step into the light. Because finding the courage to be seen isn't just a tagline. It's a journey. Until next time, stay courageous, and keep increasing your visibility 1 baby step at a time. I love you guys.

Joan Hamilton [00:07:52]:
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, Please rate and review it on iTunes. The link is in the show notes. Your reviews help us grow!