A few months ago, my husband and I had the tremendous privilege of becoming two of Keith Lancaster’s Praise & Harmony Singers. We traveled to Texas and recorded an album with 100 other talented men and women. In 3 days, we recorded 25 songs. It was exhausting, and absolutely incredible. I became a better singer, fulfilled a Bucket List item, and came away with some Life Lesson reminders that I want to share with you. Today’s post, Be You, is the first installment of my Life Lessons series, based on that experience.

Be You Reminder #1

The first day, the entire group ate a catered lunch together while we participated in an ice breaker activity to get to know one another. About thirty minutes into lunch, a fellow soprano asked me, “Are you always this quiet?”

At first, I was taken aback. What did she mean, “quiet?” I was listening to other people, chiming in when I had something to say, asking questions to get to know people. I was totally being outgoing. Then I saw things from her perspective. She walked into the room hugging everyone like they’d been best friends for years. Many she did know for years, as she’d recorded 8 albums with this group. But she greeted complete strangers that way, too. A total extrovert, she was loud, loving, and vivacious. I’m an introvert, and though I was very friendly and outgoing – for me – compared to her, I was quiet.

The old me would have been insecure about her comment and tried to adapt my behavior to be more like her. But I know myself and accept myself now. I’m an introvert. I’m kind and loving and more reserved than some. I can be loud and more crazy in a group of people I know well. But in a group of strangers, I’m much more quiet until I get to know people. It’s who I am. It’s not a sign of insecurity; it’s part of my process. There’s nothing better or worse with my approach vs. hers. No reason to apologize or feel bad about who I am.

You have to be you, no matter what. Don’t try to adapt yourself to be what other people think you should be.

Be You Reminder #2

My second reminder of how important it is to Be You came during the first recording session.

Maybe you’re like my lunch table friend and just dive into a new situation with both feet, loud and proud and love-me-or-get-out-of-my-way. But many people hold back a little bit, trying to figure out how the group acts. After all, every group has its own norms of behavior, and you take cues from people around you. Usually you can suss out the situation in just a few minutes.

In the auditorium, we clustered around the microphones. Almost everyone around me stood statue-still as they sang. At first, I did the same, not wanting to be a distraction to anyone. This was the Big Leagues, after all, and I was a rookie among veterans. But I struggled with pitch and timing. I felt stifled.

Because here’s the thing: I feel music with every fiber of my being. I’m the chick in the clothing store who bops her head or taps her feet to the canned music (even if the music is only playing in my head). And when I sing, I can’t give my entire heart to what I’m doing if I’m standing still. I. Have. To. Move. Not like I’m on the table break dancing or anything (I gave up break dancing when I was twelve. But that’s another story…) I have to sway, bounce, move my hands, and feel the music in my entire body.

When I gave myself permission to Be Me, to move and sing the way I need to and the way that feeds my soul, I was able to give my whole heart to the project. My pitch and my timing improved and I enjoyed the process a whole lot more.

How about you?

You were made on purpose, with a purpose, and with a plan. Be You, because You are the only person you can be.

Many of my clients have spent so much time living according to the expectations of other people, that they don’t really know who they are anymore. I give them tools and strategies to reveal their brilliance and reclaim their personal power so they have the confidence to impact the world the way they’re meant to. One of the first things we do is discover who they are, deep down at their core. Because in order to Be You, you must accept who you are. And to do that, you’ve gotta know who you are.

If this sounds like something you need, I created a powerful free tool to help you do just that. It’s called The Self-Worth Key, and it’s the #1 key to unlocking your personal power and putting yourself back into the driver’s seat of your life through discovering and honoring your unique, Radiant Self™. Download it here.

Are you ever tempted to deny who you are in order to fit in? Are you afraid to Be You, because somewhere along the line, you learned it wasn’t OK? Or safe? If so, you’re not alone. We all do it from time to time. Leave a comment below so I can support you in your journey.