How many of us are struggling within a system that is holding us back from evolving into the version of ourselves we know is possible?
I've been thinking about this a lot lately.
Today I find myself running two businesses, and I am realizing that I created a system of my own that isn't allowing me to evolve into the version of myself I can see so clearly. The struggle is that it feels like I have to choose. If I pursue the business I feel incredibly called to build, does that mean I have to say goodbye to the other one?
And the truth is, I don't.
But that's the belief I've been operating within. I've spent so much of my life challenging systems that limit people's ability to grow, lead, and recognize their own potential. And somehow, I've found myself operating within another system: one I've created for myself as an entrepreneur. I want to share this experience because I know I'm not the only one.
I've challenged systems, learning from others they felt the same fear, uncertainty, and risk of stepping into something uncomfortable and unknown.
Breaking free from a system that has been established for so long is scary. It requires courage. And sometimes the courage needed feels like more than we have at the moment. I've seen inspirational messages encouraging us to borrow someone else's belief in us, someone else's courage - and now I understand why.
Stepping into the unknown doesn't always feel safe.
So much of our existence relies on safety, and I'm finding myself in that space again. I'm fearful that it won't be safe to test something new. I've done it before and I have evidence that the unknown doesn't have to be something to fear, still, I'm feeling resistance.
The wildflower and the rose garden
You may have heard me recently describe Peers Not Fears as a wildflower garden. I spent years trying to cultivate roses from wildflower seeds in soil that is rocky, with unfavorable sunlight and temperatures (crazy right?!). I worked hard to create the conditions for something to grow, often questioning whether the environment was ever going to support what I envisioned.
Over the fence, however, was this beautiful rose garden: Speak Boldly. I found myself looking over at that garden thinking, It can't possibly be that easy. Somewhere along the way, I was taught that anything worth fighting for is hard. It's an uphill battle. If you're not struggling, maybe you're not working hard enough.
And I realize that's what a system teaches you - today that system was one I created for myself as an entrepreneur.
When I started Peers Not Fears, I knew I wanted to empower young people. My convictions and my desire was strong. My vision was clear. The problem was my vision wasn't necessarily my clients' vision. I had to work hard to help others see the value in what I was creating. I had to build relationships, develop resources, create opportunities, and find ways to get the work into the world. I even had to convince those who love me it was worth it - that was really hard!
And I did. But here's what I'm beginning to recognize. That beautiful rose garden didn't just appear. I've been cultivating it all along. As I was working in the wildflower garden, I was creating the rose garden behind the scenes. I didn't recognize it because so much of my attention was focused on the challenges in front of me.
If you know me, you probably had me connect you with someone. That was how I built Speak Boldly. I didn't know how to network. I didn't know what to do to get Peers Not Fears out into the world. So I worked in a way that I knew I could. I built relationships. I connected people. I created opportunities for conversations.
I was cultivating something without even realizing what it would become. Now I'm looking at what has grown and questioning whether it can really be this good.
Systems Hold us Back, but People are not the system.
Here's something I've come to believe: People are not the system. People are people. We are capable of learning, leading, growing, changing, and creating opportunities for one another. We often find ourselves operating within systems that determine who gets to lead, who gets heard, who is ready, who is qualified, and what success is supposed to look like leading people to accept those limitations as reality.
I believe we can create something different.
We can challenge the systems that keep people small, create opportunities that allow people to recognize their own potential, and build new systems that empower others to do the same. Because the goal isn't to become the person with all the power.
It's to create a world where more people recognize the power within.
As I look back I realize I spent years creating opportunities for others to recognize something in themselves that they may not have seen before.
Students - Check
Entrepreneurs - Check
Young Professionals - Check
Women - Check
Perhaps now I need to give myself that same opportunity. I've always seen what's inside somebody before they've seen it themselves. None of that is changing.
But it's time I stop allowing the systems, created by and for me to determine what I'm capable of becoming.
I'm not giving up one garden to grow another. I'm recognizing that I've been cultivating both, and I get to decide how I want to tend them moving forward.
What system are you operating within that might be keeping you from becoming the person you know you're capable of being?
This blogpost was originally posted here!
Please note that the blogpost above does not represent the thoughts or opinions of Fresh Start Registry and solely represents the original author’s perspective.