Who are we to argue with Mr Mandela?

I read an amazing quote again last week and I just had to share it. Australians are great at cutting down tall poppies. I think we're actually pretty good at cutting ourselves down too. We're particularly adept at not giving ourselves pats on the back, telling ourselves we did a good job, that we're alright or that we believe in ourselves.  No I'm not about to break into a rendition of Whitney's "The Greatest Love of All"- you get the message.

Maybe it's a reaction against over-the-top American-type bravado but I think we've gone too far in the other direction.

Anyway, when we last spoke I asked you to get naked with me. It occurred to me this week that it's tough to get naked with ourselves- both physically and emotionally.

So I wanted to share this quote with you. I've heard he's a pretty samrt bloke.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?" Nelson Mandela

Read it again. Really. I think you need to give it a couple of goes before it sinks in.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?" Nelson Mandela

So, let's make the decision as business owners to start embracing our inner brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous selves. Imagine the ripple effect across our businesses, our customers, our team, our friends, our family if as business owners and people, we started to choose to live like that?

After all, who are you to argue with Mr Mandela.