Here we are, one week into a brand new year, the ink barely dry on our freshly made promises to ourselves, our minds full of possibilities and potential, and already, cynicism and self-doubt are creeping in.
“You are such a mess,” your inner critic chides. “You know you’re not going to stick with this,” she whispers as she rolls her eyes. “And who cares anyhow?”
It never fails. Just when we get excited and start to build forward momentum, that critic shows up with a big old DETOUR sign and lures us off track. I hate her.
Please listen carefully. We need to shut that voice down. The incessant chirping of your inner critic is simply not serving you. She needs to go.
Want to know what does serve you? Surrounding yourself with people who share your vision for what’s possible. That’s the single best thing you can do to help you achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself.
The time-tested assertion that we become like the five people we spend the most time with is true. In whose company are you spending your time? Give that a little thought. Jot down the names that come to mind. Think about the people you talk with every day as you make your list. Whose voices carry the most weight?
Now ask yourself this. Are you letting the voice of your inner critic claim one of those precious five spots? Sadly, most of us are.
If you find that this is true, here’s the plan. Let’s elbow that vocal critic out of the way by inviting wise and encouraging voices into our inner circle. In fact, let’s fill our entire extended circle – well beyond the closest five – with the very best people we can find. These are the people who can shush that inner critic when she speaks harshly in our ear. These are the people who will remind us of what we believe in and who will help us to grow.
Who has room for the detractors, the naysayers, the gossips, the judgmental types? Your inner critic may be the ringleader, but all too often she invites friends to the party. Whom are you letting into your circle that doesn’t belong? Can you really afford to keep them so close? Do they deserve to hold your dreams in their hands? Are they serving you and your vision for yourself? If not…
Maybe it’s time to build a new circle. 
Very soon, I’m going to invite you into a circle where we’re going to help each other SHINE. We’re going to:
- Strike a balance between our professional pursuits and personal lives that keeps us whole.
- Make meaningful contributions by focusing on work that uses our gifts in service to others.
- Revive the art of conversation and authentic personal connection.
- Create space in our lives for the things that light us up and bring us joy.
- Build downtime into our insanely overscheduled calendars and prove that it can actually be done!
I’m as much in need of a community of women who share this vision of what’s possible as you are. We’re going to build this circle together. You have a seat at this table – we can make this the year we create space to grow into the women we know we can be.
Let me be clear that this is no fluffy “feel good and sing Kumbaya” kind of circle. (That’s just not who I am.)
Rather, this is a “get in the trenches and figure it out” kind of circle. A “talk through it till we’re clear” kind of thing. A “try things we’ve never tried before and see what happens” kind of place. A “be real because we are all students and we are all teachers” kind of vibe. A “make it happen because this is our time” kind of energy. A “rise to our highest potential” kind of group.
I’m SO ready to build this community with you.
If you’re ready to raise your standards and to help others do the same, you’re going to love this.
It’s 2016. It’s time to #SHINE. Tell your inner critic she can take the year off.
The doors open soon. Get ready.
