Believe in yourself

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by Angela Mackenzie

Last week, I finally got the chance to attend a Unique Lives & Experiences event. The North American lecture series features prominent and successful women from around the world, and is designed to motivate and challenge individuals through their personal stories. Although it’s open to anyone, it’s primarily aimed at inspiring women.
Geena Davis, the Academy Award-winning actress, was the speaker featured at the lecture I attended. Although I was excited about getting the chance to meet a Hollywood star, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Davis decided to talk about a few "truths" she had come across again and again in her life that she felt contributed to her successes. She touched on four of them -- willingness to put yourself out there (she jokingly called it being a crazy/beserker); flexibility in reaching your goals; and tenacity in pursuing your dreams. The last thing she spoke about was self-esteem, and as I was listening to her talk, I felt as though I was having an epiphany.
Davis, at the age of 41, decided to master archery. She wasn't doing very well at first and as she was practising, her coach asked her, "What were you just thinking?" She replied, "I suck." The next time she shot an arrow, her coach asked her again, "What were you thinking?" She replied, "He thinks I suck."
He continued to ask her each time she shot a bow what she was thinking. Each time, she admitted to a negative thought. She soon realized that, unconsciously, she was listening to a negative voice inside her head that was telling her she couldn't do it. She then realized the negative monologue was influencing other aspects of her life too. She finally started changing what that voice inside her head was telling her. She realized she could never achieve anything great if she was telling herself she couldn't do it. She went on to qualify for the Olympic trials in archery. Davis said she now believes that if another human being is capable of doing something, then she can do it too. She stopped believing that she had "gaps" in her abilities.
I realized that I had also been listening to a negative voice inside my own head, telling me I don't have the talent to do this or the ability to do that. All of us at times, and especially women, often devalue our skills and gifts. It’s not easy to get rid of that negative voice inside our heads, but I know I’ll be working on evicting the one I’ve been listening to off and on throughout my life. If we all get rid of our negative monologues, who knows what limitless potential we could tap into?

Angela MacKenzie is the editor of C3 News & Views. To submit a column, contact her at aymackenzie@gmail.com

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