I am part of a wonderful group of like-minded people that share not only my professional interests but the need and wont to support one another.
We meet every two weeks and everyone in the group gets the chance to respond to the same three questions, questions designed to allow each of us to open up, let go of our emotions, share and ask for help/advice.
It is a great forum and it is helping each one of us in different ways.
This week the topics of confidence and feedback found their way onto our plate, We went at it with gusto, picking at the various ingredients in ways that were both inspiring and enlightening.
As we shared our stories and asked each other for advise, the subject of feedback kept creeping into the confidence piece, the impact that the former can have on the latter and how we all interpret and/or seek feedback.
These group sessions are like walking into the house of mirrors, looking at multiple reflections of yourself; some more distorted than others, some make you look better, some worse, some feel like the right ones...
Over the past couple of days, I reflected on feedback and the importance that it places on my own confidence and I realised that I don't actively seek feedback.
Don't get me wrong, I love getting feedback and more importantly love giving feedback.
But if it's not there, it's not there.
I guess doing a podcast for 4 years, and only having anecdotal evidence of the "importance" or "lack of" my production, has taught me to trust in myself and my "why".
My "why" has not changed since the beginning.
My dedication and professionalism has not wavered.
My confidence has grown.
The same goes for my coaching and tutoring work. I know why I am doing it, I know the difference I want to make.
So when I was out for a run this morning and friend pointed out at someone whose life has changed for the better as a direct impact of my podcast - and a series of other things that I did since - it was all the feedback that I needed.
And so, I'll carry on doing what I believe is right, building my "competence" to ensure that my "confidence" is not impacted.
As per feedback...
I always love to hear from anyone that has anything to tell me.
But if not, sure, I may found out sometime, somewhere, somehow...
I''ll that a couple of line to thank my "Mastermind" colleagues.
Andy Whittle - Chiara de Caro - Kathy Brandt - Siobhan Gallagher
Keep on keeping on.
PS
I sketched the cartoon above a year ago and had nothing to do with feedback, but I thought it may fit this piece.
Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want
I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want
I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha)
I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig ah
Spice Girls
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