Do better.
That’s what I wrote to the organizers. They had removed me from the 
speaker schedule without communicating.
For a very brief moment I considered resigning myself to the fact that I would no longer be presenting.
I have a long history of advocating for myself in the world of paddlesports.
It’s uncomfortable, vulnerable and can be frustrating.
The truth is when I don’t speak up nothing happens. My career as a sponsored athlete and my work empowering women wouldn’t exist if I didn’t advocate for myself.
After a phone call with the organizer I was put back on the speaker schedule.
Standing up for yourself is important and creates opportunity.
Here are 3 tips to help you advocate for yourself:
1. Focus on Your Positive Impact
Making bold and strong requests allows you to have a positive impact on your community.
Several people gave feedback that my talk was insightful and thought provoking. Folks who hadn’t attended my talk came up to tell me of the positive reviews they had heard.
55% of those who attended my talk chose to buy my Yoga for Paddling book.
Had I accepted the decision to remove me from the speaker schedule none of those people would have benefitted from the value I had to offer.
And, I wouldn’t have benefitted from what they shared with me.
2. Be OK with Being Perceived as ‘Difficult’
Advocating for yourself requires that you be willing to be perceived as ‘difficult.’
Not because what you’re asking is actually difficult, but because you’re challenging decisions, the way things are and maybe the way things always have been.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
It’s not your job to be nice and please people. It’s your job to shine your light into the world and make a difference. Sometimes that requires being strong-willed, firm and standing for what you believe.
The deal is that if you don’t advocate for yourself, no one else will.
If you’re waiting for someone else to make things better for you, you’ll be waiting a long time.
3. Treat Yourself Like You’re Worth It
Do you treat yourself like you’re worth advocating for?
Taking care of yourself is an important practice for going out into the world and speaking up for yourself.
Are you making healthy diet and lifestyle choices that support strength, vitality and confidence?
What about your self-talk? What are you saying to yourself on a daily basis? Are you encouraging and supportive, or are you self-deprecating and hard on yourself?
A key component of confidence is self-care and the willingness to set healthy boundaries.
Start by advocating for yourself to yourself.
It may not work out exactly how you want it to, but you’ll never know unless you take action.
Give yourself permission to ask for what you need, and go out and shine your light bright!
Want to advocate for yourself in taking better care of yourself? Book into Ayurveda Health Coaching with me. Want an empowering group experience? Book into the Art of Self Care Retreat coming up in November. Want coaching on your confidence in asking for what you need? Contact me about Mindset Coaching.
