There is good stuff happening in my life right now. It’s my winning season. I welcome and claim it.
Self-Improvement and Self-Care Month:
I am so excited about the coaching and training that brought me to Miami. It’s my first time in Miami outside of the cruise port. I’ve been focusing on abundance in all areas of my life and asking myself what I am repelling and resisting as well as what I need to release so that I can receive what’s next for me. My elevation is starting with my mindset.
I spent today at the beach alone and got some reading in. Reading and the ocean definitely counts as self-care. I am reading We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers. Yes, I want to improve in the area of money — earning, multiplying, and investing. I am still rejecting hustle and grind and opting in to ease a flow. Additionally, I decided that I am going to do 50 new things by my 50th birthday on April 8th. Yes, today was day 1. I had never gone to the beach alone nor visited Miami – two for one! I don’t know what the other 49 new things will be!
My These 3 Words 2022 mantra for September was decided last week. It is Accept The Accolades. I selected this mantra because so many high-performing Women of Color in social work leadership downplay their gifts and allow others to take or share the credit for their great work. It is a reminder to us all to accept and not reject or deflect the attention and recognition we deserve. This too is part self-improvement and part self-care.
Now, about the revelation!
On Thursday as I was driving to my class I heard, “You are not an imposter, you have been doing this work for over 20 years.” This is significant because I didn’t think I was experiencing imposter syndrome. I thought about it a little longer and realized that I thought I was operating in integrity when I say, “I’ll never lead you where I haven’t gone”, but there is apparently a little self-doubt wrapped up in there. This is significant because I also have to admit that I was judging myself for not making it a practice to get referrals from the people I serve who have achieved success following my career advice and strategies – clients, staff, colleagues, students, mentees, friends, and even family. What I heard next is “your next service offering will be a culmination of your 20 years of achievements”. This gave me the revelation that although I have made significant progress, I am still dimming my light as it relates to my career accomplishments and success. Who Knew?
Fast forward to Friday and Saturday when my coach proposed a business and financial challenge that gave me pause and I started to question whether I was really giving 100%. Fortunately for me, this question did not turn into self-criticism but instead got my creative juices flowing. So many different tasks, projects, and achievements that I had previously not considered came flooding to me. I started journaling about it. Once I closed my journal and got up to put it away I heard, “You’ve done the work, now accept your rewards!”
The thing that I was repelling and resisting was accepting the rewards for the work that I do and have done. The thing that I needed to release was self-doubt. The thing that I needed to receive was my reward. This includes financial rewards by not charging my worth. It was at that moment that I realized that Accept The Accolades had greater meaning than I thought a week ago – but it is all connected. Did I tell you all things are working together for my good?!
Accept The Accolades | Receive Your Rewards
If you are ready to improve your position to elevate your career and desire assistance from a Social Work Career Coach, schedule a Career Activation Strategy Session today.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, ushers high-performing women of color in mid-level social work and human services leadership through promotion to senior leadership. As Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, her mission is simple – to eliminate toxic workplaces by developing skilled, empathetic, and goal-oriented leaders who have the vision, support, and resources to create a culture where business prospers, and employees thrive individually and collectively. Nicki has an extensive background in nonprofit management leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams. She is an accomplished professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has combined her gift for authentic relationships, Master of Social Work degree, and over 20 years of diverse work experience to create a life and career aligned with her values and purpose. Nicki is a lover of cupcakes, travel, and 80’s hip hop and R&B music.
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