Boldsteps: KNOWING DOING BEING - Susan Murray, by Hunter Wightman

The act of taking risks to change who you are currently into what you want to be. Throughout this presentation Susan Murray talked about how what we do today will create who we are tomorrow, and how this is incredibly important. The boldsteps mindset is based on the foundations of KNOWING who you are compared to what you want to be, DOING what needs to be done in order to take that step, and BEING that person you’ve always aspired to be.

KNOWING-

"The only way to grow as leaders is by stretching the limits of who we are - doing new things that make us uncomfortable but teach us through direct experience who we want to become" - Herminia Ibarra

Ask yourself what defines you as being you, and how does that differ from how you want to be seen? Being self-aware is a great method in planning your future as only you truly know who you want to become and it’s your job to get there. It is also important to build knowledge about your strengths and weaknesses and recognize biases that may be holding you back.

DOING-

"What got you here, won't get you there" - Marshall Goldsmith

The next step is the hardest of the process because a mindset adjustment is needed to change from who you are currently to who you want to become. This is where you need to look at the risk vs. the reward of the steps you are going to take. Being intentional in the actions you take and making sure you can afford to lose what you risk if it does not work out is important, only risk as much as you can afford to lose.

BEING-

"Confidence is like respect; you have to earn it." - Mindy Kaling

Being requires a growth mindset that is a state of constant action, reflection, and growth. Continuing to define your best self and recognizing the bold steps you are willing to take to be in a state of growth and excellence are very important. By doing this you are becoming the person you want to be and that you took the risks to become. Even if you feel like you’re in a place where you feel like you may not fit in, it is important to understand that you took the steps to be where you are and you deserve it just as much as others, throw the imposter syndrome out the door. Every day, we continue to be driven by our strengths and our values. That self-knowledge translates into the daily actions of being our best selves, and making the strategic choices that will define us at work, at home, and in our community.

Some of these decisions that are being made will be incredibly tough but that is where you need to think through this process to determine if the decision is logical. An example of this is redesigning your entourage and who is around you. Are they holding you back? If your friends are holding you back it is crucial to see that and make the tough decision to change and strive to stand out among others. This whole process will continue throughout your life, as there is always more to learn, and everyone should strive to be a lifelong learner.