Unleash Your Inner Tiger

You’re in a meeting, and you have a great idea. It won’t come out of your mouth. You’re quiet.
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Two minutes later, Jeff says your idea. He doesn’t explain it as well as you would’ve, but he’s got it out there. Everyone loves the idea.
 
You cringe inside.
 
Why does Jeff get all the credit and glory of your idea? Again!? This has happened before.
 
Why don’t you speak up?
 
You know why. It’s fear. Plain and simple. FEAR. The 'ole "500 pound fear gorilla" set in and is sitting on your chest. Ugh!

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You’re afraid of looking stupid. You’re afraid of sounding like a crazy person. You’re afraid of sounding dumb. I know, I know. I’ve been there. I understand. But here’s the thing…you’ve got to stop letting Jeff and others get the glory. It’s time to step into your power, embrace your inner tiger, and bring YOU to the world. In all your glory!
 
“But how?” you say, “I’m a scared little bunny with a gorilla sitting on my chest.” Yes, we all have a scared little bunny inside of us. That is true. We all also have a ferocious tiger inside of us, a fierce tiger that will protect you and your bunny. It’s time to let her out to play.

​It’s time to adult. Yes, we’ve started using “adult” as a verb. When we “adult” we “act like a grownup.” One aspect of “adulting” (Yes, now we’re even going to gerund our new verb! Oh! I did it again!) is consciously choosing our behaviors. As adults, we pay close attention to our feelings and wisely choose appropriate responses and behaviors. Sometimes it’s appropriate to have a “bunny response” that is gentle, warm and fuzzy. Sometimes it’s appropriate to have a “fierce tiger response” that is direct, bold, and tough. Once we’ve selected our response, we plan and act. This is part of adulting. 

Three Times to Engage Your Fierce Inner Tiger:
There may be more than this, but these are three of the most frequent situations that I see where we need our Fierce Inner Tigers. 

• When someone is taking advantage of you or the situation  you’re in
• When others are missing out on your full gloriousness and don’t appreciate who you are
• When you (and your little inner bunny) are in danger physically, emotionally, spiritually, or in another way

Four Steps to Unleashing Your Fierce Inner Tiger:

1. Understand the Need – Before engaging your Inner Fierce Tiger, understand your “Why?” Are you in danger, being taken advantage of, or are others not seeing the real you? What is happening?
2. Feel Your Fierce Inner Tiger – Feel your Fierce Inner Tiger surfacing. Greet her. Agree that this will all go well, and that your ego, Fierce Inner Tiger, and conscience will collaborate for the overall greater good. Your Fierce Inner Tiger is strong and confident, not petty or mean-spirited. Feel her energy of strength and confidence.
3. Acknowledge Your Fierce Inner Tiger Out Loud – Help those you’re with understand that they’re getting ready to see a different side of you. You may be switching from “bunny” to “tiger,” and it may seem abrupt or even shocking. Say something like, “I need to say something,” “I have a concern,” or “I have a question, and it may come as a surprise to some of you.” Say something that indicates that your energy is getting ready to change. This is a masterful approach to showing that you are in charge, not a mood-swing-ridden lunatic. This prevents people from thinking, “Wow! That came out of nowhere!” or “What’s she on today?”
4. Say What You Need to Say – Say what you need to say. Then sit back and be quiet. Don’t go on and on. Sometimes we feel the need to fill the air. Don’t. Just sit back and let what you’ve said sink in. The quiet is your friend. Relax. Breathe. Let people process what you’ve said and the energy behind it. Most of all, feel good about being fierce. You’re bold, and you’ve got this.

You’re not stupid, crazy, or dumb. You’re glorious! Let the world see your glory. As an adult, you have a responsibility to all you’ve learned and accomplished. You have a responsibility to your experience and expertise. You have a responsibility to the world to share who you are and what you know.
 
Let go of fear. Stop playing small. It doesn’t benefit you or anyone else (except maybe Jeff, and you don’t need to do him anymore favors). You and the world are going to love your Fierce Inner Tiger.
 
Are you challenged to let your Fierce Inner Tiger out as much as you’d like? Let’s talk. Book a Discovery Session with me. It’s free. We’ll talk about your Fierce Inner Tiger. Click here to book today: https://bookme.name/lisaliszcz/

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