The School of Greatness - 492 Your Vulnerability Is Your Power

Episode Date: June 2, 2017

“Greatness is not about being perfect. It’s about being yourself.” - Lewis Howes If you enjoyed this episode, check out show notes, video, and more at http://lewishowes.com/492

This is 5-Minute Friday, episode number 492. And vulnerability is powerful. Brene Brown said, Owning our story can be hard, but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky, but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy. The experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkest, we will discover the infinite power of our light. Now, I definitely don't have it all figured out. I'm still learning and I'm going to be learning till the day I die.

And, uh, I've got a long way to go to achieve the level of, of greatness that I want to achieve in, in all areas of my life. It's a constant journey. It's a constant, uh, battle,

uh, of figuring out what is right, what is wrong, what works, what doesn't work, uh, you know, making sure I'm taking care of myself

while supporting others, not hurting people while I take care of myself. I'm constantly learning how to be in the world and how to express myself fully, openly, authentically, lovingly, and true to who I am. And so much has evolved for me. One of the key lessons that I've learned specifically from this journey of the School of Greatness is that vulnerability is power. And vulnerability creates so much freedom if we allow ourselves to open up and show ourselves to the world. Now, that doesn't mean you have to tell all your biggest, darkest secrets,

to the world. Now, that doesn't mean you have to tell all your biggest, darkest secrets, all the things that you're afraid of and ashamed of, and announce them publicly on social media to the whole world. I'm not saying that's something you need to do. What I'm saying is, I have experienced so much freedom and joy and a sense of relief by being vulnerable as opposed to just being perfect all the time and having to put on this perfect mask and having to put something out that's always perfect with my business, my design, my products, my courses, my services, the way I look, the things I say. By letting go of this perfectionism, this perfection prison that I've lived in for a long time in my life where I felt like I needed to look a certain way and everything had to be a certain

way in order for me to be great. I realized that greatness is not about being perfect. Really, it's about being yourself and being imperfect and being okay with those imperfections and allowing yourself to be vulnerable in those moments. And because of vulnerability, guys, creates so much more trust and connection and community and unity and love. And it allows people to see you for who you are and not just see you as some superhero that can't be touched.

So what I want to bring forth today and just shed the light on is really allow yourself to be vulnerable in your life. Again, it doesn't mean you have to share your deepest, darkest secrets like sometimes I've done here on the podcast to the world, but talk about it with your family. Talk about the things that you're afraid of, the things that scare you. Maybe talk about some of the things that you felt some shame in your life around and have a conversation with your parents, with your siblings, with your loved ones, your kids. Have a conversation with some of your closest friends to start and just start allowing yourself to open up in ways that maybe you've never allowed yourself before. Start asking questions that you've never asked

and have those interesting, messy conversations with your friends. I'm telling you, when you do it and you create that space in a loving, vulnerable way and you do it in a way where someone else can receive it, the conversation that you'll create will be magical. The freedom that you have will be powerful and you'll be one step closer to living and being great

in whatever it is you want to be. So thank you guys so much for listening. Again, I'm overwhelmed by the support that we have here on the School of Greatness podcast. Being vulnerable is not easy for me, as a six, four, you know, athletic jock type guy who played football and just, you know, wants to rough it up a lot. It's not easy, but it's powerful. And I still get to learn how to be vulnerable myself. And I still am learning those lessons and I'm not perfect, but I'm owning it and being responsible for it.

So thank you all so much. From the bottom of my heart, it means the world to me that you listen and that you share these interviews with these great influencers. Vulnerability is power, guys. I hope you guys find some clarity in your life today. You ask a different question today. You think differently. You respond differently and you open up in a vulnerable, powerful way. This is five minute Friday. You guys know what time it is. It's time to go out there and do something great. Thank you.