The Many Ways in Which I’m Awesome

21. May, 2010 Categories: Living Your Truth by Elizabeth Potts Weinstein View Comments

A few months ago I wrote a post about how I sucked. My confession of all the ways I feel inadequate, all the things I felt I was hiding from you.

A post that went to much acclaim of retweeting and applause of commenting.

Because writing about how I suck is acceptable.

Partially because we can all identify with feeling less than perfect. But also because it’s normal to confess how we are inadequate. It doesn’t intimidate anyone to diminish one’s self, to be modest about one’s brilliance.

But that’s just another way to hide the truth.

The truth is that there are many ways in which I am awesome.

I care.

I want you to be loved. I want you to understand your purpose. I want you to feel fulfilled and powerful and excited about life. I want you to feel ecstasy. I want you to get laid. I want you to have best friends, to be supported and nurtured and safe and cared for because of everything you are. I want you to be able to speak your truth and be heard and understood. I want you to have whatever success you feel is important in your life. I want you to feel cared for. I really, really, give a shit about the happiness of you all. And I want to help you, to give you whatever you need, to make that happen for you.

I’m fun.

I make people fall over, pee in their pants laughing at the way I call myself out as an idiot or observe the idiocy surrounding us all. Life is delicious and bizarre and hilarious and I want to take you all with me to devour it. There’s nothing better than enjoying the random conversations that take place in a hotel room or an airport or a hospital waiting room or drunk in a Las Vegas bar at 3 in the morning. There’s always more to learn and explore and enjoy everywhere, hidden in books and online and in corners of the face to face world. Life is fucking amazing, and I’m constantly amazed at how much fun I am in it, with all of you.

I’m brave.

I listen to what everyone is thinking, what they are all whispering to me in hallways and bathrooms and skype chartrooms, and post it online. Even though I know it will burn bridges forever. I expose my truth. I choose to be uncomfortable every day. I push my boundaries, have the scary conversations, hit send on the unbelievable text messages. I walk into the room of strangers, send the DM to the A lister, move to a new city, learn to dance around a pole wearing 6 inch stilettos. And I do it all in public. Choosing to be the example for what living your truth can be.

I inspire.

There is some quality about who I am that bringing clarity. Some of it is a conscious part of my work, how I take the seemingly complex and chaotic and turn it into teachable steps that anyone can apply to their own business or life. And some of what I do is by who I am. By what I write. By the videos that I create. By my willingness to live my truth out loud. I shock people’s systems. I force them to recognize that they’ve been asleep their entire lives. And I wake them up to the real world.

As the woman said, how dare I hide that brilliance behind a confession of my alleged suckage.

The truth is that I’m amazing.

And that’s the most horribly scary truth that anyone can ever admit.

Because if I’m brilliant, if I have a great work that only I can bring to humanity, then I have no excuse.

Success, changing the world, living a fulfilled life, is possible. Is inevitable.

The only thing that can go wrong, the only way in which I can fail, is to chicken out by refusing to expose the venerable fleshy parts of my soul.

So as the natural expression of my amazingness, I issue this call to you.

Confess your brilliance.

Confess how you are awesome. What makes you unique. What are the gifts, the amazingness, the great works you are already bringing to everyone in your world.

Expose your most secret truth.

And let’s see the delicious amazingness we can create from the collective exposure of our souls.

#thatisall

Posting this today was inspired by the ghost in the room, or, why modesty is a dirty fucking word (sent to me today by @rockyourday), by this evening’s encouragement from @wendymaynard and @nummiesbras, and by today’s post by Catherine Caine called Own Your Awesomeness.

Related posts:

  1. The Many Ways in Which I Suck
  2. 3 Ways to Use Twitter Lists to Stalk Your Tribe
  3. Yet More Evidence That People Are Awesome.
  4. Do It With Your Eyes Open & Be Awesome: Post-#Shine Wrap Up, pt 1

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  • Some person...
    Just gotta tell you that this was awesomely written! More people definitely need to start being real and enjoying ALL of life, both the ups and downs no matter what they are. You only live once.
  • I really had to dig on this. People SAY lots of nice things, but what ways do I think I'm really awesome? Here goes:

    I am not afraid to ask the hard questions: "Why?" was one of my first words as a kid.
    I am not afraid to connect the dots, get logical AND emotional, and make sense of people's messes.
    I am not afraid to pray - or tell the world that I do.
    I am not afraid to dream big - maybe too big sometimes, but you don't know if you don't try!
    I am not afraid to stand up for my friends - even if it means getting kidnapped (long story)
    I am not afraid to love with everything I have - and a few things I don't (another long story)

    I have a gift for inspiring others to see their real value. It brings me untold joy to be able to see the lightbulb go on when people "get it"

    And I'm a damn good performer: singing being my primary specialty.

    The cool thing is that I've managed to create a business that encompasses all of that (with your help, EPW). And life couldn't get much sweeter.

    And yes, you are freaking awesome. I heart you.
  • Elizabeth - This post inspired me to write about my forest creature fantasy during my morning walk. It felt slightly crazy, but am glad it's up.
  • annettenack
    I'm outing my awesomeness because I've never done it before. I actually had a friend (now my boyfriend) yell at me because I couldn't take a compliment. It pissed him off that I couldn't see how awesome I was because of my own internal BS.

    But for some reason taking a compliment was as far as I had gotten until 3 days ago.

    I saw when you 1st post this article, read it & lurked around reading everyone else's awesomeness. And I ignored my own.

    So I'm calling myself out.

    I'm awesome because I can love unconditionally, forgive without holding a grudge, write to make myself some $, incredibly loyal, creative, awesome in the kitchen, really get my clients, what they need & get them results, I run marathons for fun but not for time, I have a stockpile of costumes in my bedroom, don't tolerate BS, finally learning to live my truth & not apologize for it.

    Whew. There's more, but I don't want to be hogging the spotlight- right now.
  • Great Post. As usual. I get giddy when I connect with people who are walking a similar path. I recognize that you have to go over the ways in which I suck in order to get to the ways in which I am awesome. The important thing is you didn't get stuck in the suck, you checked it out, acknowledged it and moved straight on to the awesome.

    I really loved the person who said, "Modesty is overrated, and confidence is catching"

    Okay, some ways in which I am awesome...

    I am funny.
    I can write.
    I cut through the bullshit and see what's real.
    I love being a heretic and the more I am in public, the more I love it.
    I am a reader.
    I love connecting with people.
    I crave being around forward-thinking people.

    Keep bringing the awesome Elizabeth. I prefer my awesome to come in buckets.
  • I see truths which are hidden from other people; when people are their most confused, I clearly see what's wrong, and I know the questions to ask them so they can find their own answers.

    I am an expert at explaining complex concepts in simple terms.

    People love and respect my passionate approach to life. I only see two colors; black, and white, and I know the black is unnecessary because it's just the absence of white.

    I tell a joke better than anyone you know.

    The songs I write will make you laugh or cry or feel something you wish you could feel even more.

    I make the people around me comfortable to be themselves. Total strangers tell me things they've never told other people because they can tell in an instant that they can trust me with their life.

    I'm the smartest person I've ever met.

    And yet, I agonised for most of the last 14 hours about posting a comment here because I keep hearing this voice that says "nonsense; we're all equals, and you're a little less equal and you know it" and it stinks that the voice is my own.

    Just watched a Tony Robbins video; struck, once again, by the thought that our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. I avoid his stuff because it makes me infinitely regretful of a wasted life and infinitely scared of what I absolutely must do today, and for the rest of my life.

    It's hard, knowing that my job is to change the world. I know that I have more in common with those ancient men who slept under hedgerows or in eagles' nests; the mystics and seers who were never supernatural but could simply see the truth so clearly that others thought they were magic.

    Rubber band syndrome. Stretch as far as you can, and you just feel stretched, not pain. But when the stretching is over, the snap, when the rubber band finally gives, is a jolt.

    I can feel the tide turning; there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Finally, finally, it's not the headlamp of an oncoming train.

    I need to run out to meet it, because waiting for it at the station isn't enough any more.
  • Focusing on how we suck keeps us stuck in smallness. It takes a lot of courage to acknowledge our own brilliance because when we do it means “the jig is up.” We no longer have an excuse for not stepping up to the plate to deliver our unique contribution to the world. Acknowledging, embracing and leveraging our innate gifts is necessary if we want to live bigger lives and create a better world.

    The ways that I'm awesome:

    I’m empathetic, compassionate and care very deeply about things
    I’m a woman of my word and have a strong sense of honor
    I’m hard-working, persistent, creative and resourceful
    I’m good at seeing the “big picture” AND the little pieces
    I have an extraordinary ability to generate ideas
    I’m damn smart…sometimes even brilliant
    I’m insightful and visionary
    I'm quirky, geeky, curious...and I love being my weird-ass self!

    Thanks for reminding us to acknowledge our own awesomeness, and kudos & "high fives” to all of the commentors for having the courage to share theirs with us here.

    Nadia
  • mirkogosch
    Elizabeth, this is brilliant and I love it. It matches with a lot of things going on in my heart and in my head.

    All this hiding behind curtains and masks does more harm to everyone of us than anything else and it sucks big time! How can I or anyone else be of any true value to our world or anyone else if we can not live our truth? Our very own truth.

    It is so important to love oneself to be the best human being one can be to others.

    Thank you so much for your wicked and wise words.

    And you know what, just to kick this ball off: I am awesome because I can participate in this conversation in a language that is not my first one, YeHaw! I love life and care for us and our planet. I am a charming man and a supportive and loyal friend. I am a good listener. I am naturally good and confident at sports. I am smart, adventurous and ready to take my life to a much higher level. I am no complainer.

    And I suck because I am still a procrastinator who rather talks about living his truth than he acts upon it.

    Thanks for this short shot. It´s way too late here in Germany right now. Would love to send you a more elaborate version in my next comment.

    Signing off

    #thatisallfornow

    Mirko

    http://mirkogosch.com
  • Fucking A.
    #thatisall
  • marvelousmartha
    I am awesome (marvelous) because I am a great mother, a great wife, a pretty amazing daughter and sister, a loyal friend, a dependable employee and because I am a self made woman.

    *side note* I asked my husband how am I awesome and he said "how aren't you awesome?" I'm all giggly.

    #thatisall
  • This post is pure awesome. As are you and for about a million reasons :-)
  • Great post. This is something I share with my friends every now and then. "I'm pretty awesome most of the time" or "I am fabulous at connecting people," or "I'm a pretty great chick to know." I'm starting to own the things about myself that are pretty dang awesome.

    I think now that I have finally found my "groove"/purpose, I'm seeing the ways in which I'm awesome. Because of that, letting it "slip" that I'm awesome happens every now and then - as opposed to before when it NEVER happened.

    On a final note, I can eat my weight in macaroni and cheese. I think that might be the most awesome thing about me. ;-)
  • partyaficionado
    Wow, you are awesome, and it sounds like you have some pretty awesome friends.
  • Sherree
    Incredibly honest, that's what I really like about you.

    I'm still working on writing my suckage list(!) - not enough courage yet to list the awesome things, but I know what they are.

    You inspire me to be/do more and I thank you for that.
  • Hiding bad. Authentic transparency good.
  • Thanks for speaking the truth about your awesomeness - its inspiring. Its so easy to focus on our suck factor. Its harder to tell the truth of how great we are for fear of appearing too cocky. Thing is, truth isn't cocky. Its just the truth. And for those who can't deal with our truth, well thats their problem, not ours.

    How am I awesome? I'm smart, funny & generous. I also can kick your ass in trivia.
  • Hey Elizabeth,

    I'm glad to hear you say how awesome you are! Fun, upbeat article.

    We are all awesome. Our world likes to tell us otherwise. Instead making us focus on our so called weaknesses. No such thing.

    My days of putting myself down to make others feel comfortable ended years ago. I prefer to surround myself with other awesome people who want to celebrate their collective greatness.

    As for me:
    I'm an awesome singer, painter, writer, logo designer and community organizer.
    I'm witty, wise and whimsical.
    I enjoy being rebellious and disobedient - Go Pippi.
    I love to laugh and encourage others to do so.
    I can help anyone find his or her fearless self.
    I do not give up!

    Much thanks. Giulietta

  • Wow, a lot to think about here. If I admit that I'm brilliant, I have no excuse. Seriously, I need to ponder on this a lot more, because it might end up being a breakthrough!

    Thank you for another awesome post!

    -Candice
  • I am so glad that you wrote this post!!! You ARE so awesome and we all need to revel in our own brilliance! Thank you for having the juevos to do this.... {SMAK} that's a big kiss being blown your way...
  • I'm glad you wrote this post! good job - so true. You are all those things and it is awesome that you know you're awesome and WHY :)

    I'd have to say I'm awesome because:
    I am a good mother (I know I could put motherhood on the sucky list too - just depends on the minute, hour, day, week I'm asked... :))

    I try to be a good wife. I am selfish and over-bearing at times, but for the most part, I'm good :)

    I am a good friend - I would go WAY out of my way to help a friend.

    I am extremely loyal, protective, and advocate for those I love.

    I am not judgmental at all (well that is a lie... I judge people who hurt children and animals pretty harshly)

    I try to be truthful in everything I do and AM... 99.9% of the time... the .1% being omission, not a lie (semantics I know - but its usually done for a good reason)

    and as I am typing this, I look up and see your tags for the post... 4 words... I was only supposed to say four words? - missed that! Sorry...

    so for the I suck list - I'm wordy...
  • sugarjones
    This resonates so much with me. I used to always pull back from being fully me when I know I've made even one person the tiniest bit uncomfortable. I was raised by a woman who does not believe in loud and proud. She calls that obnoxious. I've gotten over it, but it took all of my forty years to do so. Wouldn't it be great if our kids (and you know they will) grow up completely embracing their awesomeness? How great will our world be then??

    Thanks, E... for being SO DAMN AWESOME!!
  • You kick ass. I love this post. Modesty is overrated, and confidence is catching. :)
  • My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,
    And they're like, "It's better than yours."
    Damn right, it's better than yours.
    I could teach you, but I'd have to charge.

    ;)

    Everyone here is awesome; I could go on at length about that. I'm awesome too (as some of you know...I tend to broadcast it *sheepish grin*).

    High fives for everyone.
  • and *high five* back at you ;-)
  • Alison Kramer
    i got out of bed to write this comment (on a saturday, without having coffee first), which i know you will appreciate and i think makes me pretty awesome :)
    Being brave is a rare and beautiful thing. Something that we try and live. I learned to be truly brave from my daughter. fierce, unadulterated, living out loud, brave. i revert sometimes of course, in the tide of my emotions and experiences, but at my core a very small person taught me that i rock.

    ways that i am awesome:
    i love without reservation
    i do not judge
    i am loyal and keep a damn good secret
    i am wicked smart (and use the word wicked)
    ways that i suck:
    i can love too much, judge too little, be too loyal and keep too many secrets
    i am a wee bit of a narcissist
    i cant spell (i had to google narcissist)

    Thank you Elizabeth for being you. It allows other people to be themselves.

  • thank you so much for claiming your awesomeness here, Alison!

    and yes, you are a freaking amazing friend -- and you know, I think for all of us, our greatest strengths also can be the same things that screw us up ....

    and allowing other people to be themselves ... that's the best compliment ever. :)

    and yes, the fact that you got out of bed with coffee ... omg, that's the next best compliment ever. :)
  • it was hard to do this over on Catherine's blog, but i did it, so maybe a bit easier here.

    i am bright, witty, compassionate and determined. and i rock at helping others.
  • congrats misty, awesome! :)
  • meganmatthieson
    You know when someone is really really good because they do something and it hits home and they make it look so fucking easy. That is you E.

    I have to start w suckage-because I do. I'm insecure, needy, selfish and vain. (oh god)

    And I'm brave, ferociously loving, discerning, and I can dance.

    The insecure me in me would be scared to meet you in person, but the ferociously loving me in me says it will be so fun and wonderful. (she wins out)

    Thanks for you, and for giving us the chance to be a little more us.
  • Yes, you're freaking awesome. And, I can't wait to meet you in person.

    And, I think it's funny I make it look easy. Don't I angst about all the time about how hard this is? lol
  • meganmatthieson
    Maybe the gift is that you are a 'good listener' and know which direction to work in. Ending up with something amazing. I make everything look easy too. And I work my ass off to the nth (enth?) degree.
  • That's so wonderful. Well done for getting up the courage to share it.

    Do I still need to proudly proclaim my awesomeness after writing a whole article about it?

    Why not.

    I am smart, generous, quirky and insightful. I RULE.
  • Damn straight Catherine. Damn straight. :)
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