Believe in you (because everyone else does)
I was completely surprised this past weekend when Erin gave me this beautiful pin to wear during my 50K on Saturday:
What a caring, thoughtful gesture! Thank you, Erin! I will definitely put it on my vest for the race.
I was also surprised this past weekend by how much support and encouragement I got for my 50K when it came up with friends I’ve met before and people I was just meeting for the first time. Everyone was so kind, telling me they know I’ll do great, have fun, and so on. It’s not as surprising that people who’ve been following my training schedule online would think I’m going to do well, but strangers? That is an awesome vote of confidence in someone you’ve just met and know nothing about!
And don’t get me wrong – I am not complaining about this! It made me feel quite good. It made me think “Yeah, I will do well! They’re right!”
And then I thought about it some more.
When Erin gave me this pin I jokingly (sort of) said I should wear it to work, because that is where I need to believe in me the most. I’ve been given a lot of projects lately where I am in unfamiliar ground. And I struggle with the unknown. I have a hard time planning for and leading a meeting when I don’t know what the outcome will be, because it’s a creative brainstorming meeting. That is not where I thrive, and I feel really anxious and uncomfortable. Most of the time.
Yet, just like with the running, someone who didn’t know much about me, believed that I could do it. So why does that make me feel comfort when it’s related to running, but not at work? I am going to try to channel some of that running confidence in to work confidence. Try.
In what aspect of life do you most need to “believe in you”?
Themocracy
That is a beautiful pin! What a dear friend you have!
This is a great post! I think right now I need to believe in myself as a wife! It’s not that huge of an adjustment, but I want to do my best job possible. Also, I really need to get focused on my workout goals! I was so focused on the wedding and now it’s time to focus on using my time wisely and getting back into my goals!
What a sweet gesture! I know you’ll do great at the 50k. 😉
Great pin, great post and yes, you should believe in yourself! You’ll do very well this weekend!
Basically in all areas of my life. I waste so much time worrying about things …. then later realize I flew right through without any issues. I am SOOO impressed that you are tackling a 50k and know you’ll be amazing!
That is my issue – I worry and dread everything then it turns out to be fine. When will I ever learn?!
I love the title of this post. I love that you KNOW that we all believe in you, and that that knowledge helps you believe in yourself a little more.
Because you rock, my friend. So excited for your 50k!!
What a cool sentiment! It’s awesome how many supportive people you have when it comes to running. You’ll do great on Saturday!
It’s funny, but we’re total opposites on this. I’ve never once doubted myself at work, and it’s probably because I built myself up within my company from nothing. I didn’t know anyone and managed to turn a 30 day temp assignment into an 8 year (and counting) career. I have absolutely no faith in myself when it comes to running. My running buddy and I have been working on distance, since she’s training for a 15k, and every time she suggests we add even another half mile, I don’t believe I can do it. So that’s where I need to get myself a pin 🙂
It sounds like we need to coach each other 😉
Beautiful pin and even more beautiful sentiment. We are our own worst critics. I’ll be cheering for you in spirit this weekend!
That pin is so cute and such a great idea! You are going to totally rock out that 50k!
I have trouble believing in myself when it comes to running. I doubt what I’m capable and am too hard on myself. The heat this summer has got me down, but I’m trying to stay positive to get me through the fall! 🙂
What a great gift. I sometimes lack confidence at work too – I work with all men and sometimes feel like I have no idea what I am doing but most people are so nice and helpful and help me to understand and be more confident. I hate doing new things, I like knowing what I am doing so its tough to switch to new projects and take on new work that is unfamiliar but I think it makes us better and stronger people!
Erin is such a thoughtful, caring friend! And you are going to do AWESOME this weekend! I can’t wait to hear how well it goes!!!
The biggest area of my life that I need to believe in myself would be at work. I’ve gone through a number of setbacks in my career which have made me doubt myself many times (I’ll tell you more about it another time in person).
I find it very easy to believe in others, but quite challenging to believe in myself. Sigh.
Wow. What a sweet friend! I love the pin. I hope you look at it and believe it this weekend! You’re so awesome for tackling 3o miles. I can’t wait to hear about it!
You are going to great this weekend! You should believe in you b/c you have done the work and will do great! Can’t wait to hear about it.
That is a great pin and you should definitely wear it! Which 50k are you running? I really want to do one next summer. You’ll do great I’m sure 🙂
I am doing the North Face Endurance Challenge at Kettle Moraine in WI. Which ones are you thinking about?!
I was thinking of the Chicago Lakefront but I had heard of a trail run in the Chicago suburbs along the prairie path. Of course, I can’t find any information on it now though!
It’s tough when you’re asked to do something that doesn’t fall into your comfort zone. It’s easy to take the “easy” way out in many aspects of life but much more difficult to say “I’m going to do this and do my best no matter what.” Standing up for yourself can be tough especially when you feel like no one else has your back. But, you’re right, if you keep reminding yourself that people wouldn’t have asked you to do something if they didn’t think you could do it, then maybe it will get easier.
How thoughtful of your friend. Gestures like these can go such a long way!
Erin is a great friend! I think you should have it made into a necklace or a bracelet, so you can wear it always.
For awhile, I felt really insecure at work. Like I didn’t really know what I was doing, and I was just waiting fror someone to figure that out. I’m sure that’s normal during the first few years of your career. Now, I feel so much more confident, with six years of experience behind me, and especially now considering my field is relatively “new” (online marketing), and I’m one of only a few people at my company (of 20,000 people) who really understands what I do. Not that I’m some super expert, but I feel much more secure and confident.
And you’re going to do great this weekend!!
Parenting. Definitely.
Oh my goodness! I’m so excited for you! And that was such a thoughtful, kind gift! You’re gonna rock it!!!
WOOHOO! You go, girl! You are going to kick some butt!
I love that pin! Good luck at your 50k! That’s amazing!!
It’s so great that she sent you that pin. I think I need to believe in myself when it comes to my worthiness. I’m working on it. Having gone through my recent health crisis, it’s been rather hard to ignore that people in my life find me worthy of love so why is it so hard for me to believe that about myself?
I am so excited to hear how it goes this weekend! I’m sure you will do great! I have trouble believing in myself when it comes to running and school. Having confidence in myself is not one of my strong points, but I’m slowly working on it. 🙂
I love that! We all need a reminder every now and then.
Ahh, I feel so behind that I didn’t quite follow that your 50K was THIS weekend! I’m so sorry that I haven’t kept as up-to-date with your training as I should have. I’m so glad that you’re pursuing this goal and that you have such a wide net of support behind you. 🙂 Erin really got it right with that pin!!