“Girl… Aren’t You Embarrassed?”

There’s a viral trend happening right now with female influencers, and I love it!

The videos all follow the same pattern: a woman shows a quick montage of herself doing things that require courage: speaking on stage, talking straight to the camera, taking up space, putting her work into the world.

Over the clips, a single line appears: “Girl, aren’t you embarrassed?”

Then the camera zooms out. First, from the room she’s in, then past the skyline of her city, then above her country… then above Earth… out into our galaxy and far into the cosmos.

Click here for an example so you get the idea.

The point of this trend is to remind us that, in the grand scheme of the entire universe, we are so small. Our entire lifetime is a mere blip on the universe’s timeline.

Yet, so often we find ourselves shrinking back, playing small, hiding from the potential of embarrassment.

If I had a nickel for how many times a nonprofit CEO has told me she doesn’t like speaking on stage or being the center of attention, I’d be a wealthy woman.

It’s hard to put yourself out there.

But if you want to change things for your nonprofit and for the people you serve… Or heck, if you want to change things for yourself! You have to be willing to take risks.

Raise your hand.

Step onto the stage.

Make that video.

Send that donor an email.

Join that group.

Whatever it is that’s keeping you from stepping into who you could be as a person and as a leader, take the step.

The featured picture of this post is one I sent to my husband after resigning from the job I loved. (Note the notebook I’m holding - he gave me that!) (And save your judgment about my puffy eyes. I had just ugly cried!)

Choosing to leave my employer was an extreme risk. On paper, it made zero sense.

But everything inside me was telling me there’s something more out there for me to discover, about the world and about myself. Had I not taken the leap to put myself out there, you wouldn’t be reading this email right now and I’d still be sitting at my desk wondering “what if?”

What is your, “what if?”

What if you invited the local media to come see the great work your organization is doing?

What if you posted one video a month on social media sharing success stories about the communities you serve?

What if you signed up to present at the next networking event?

Just think of what that one step could change for you and the people you impact on a daily basis.

It could truly change everything!

I’ll leave you with this: You are in this role for a reason. Do your absolute best to figure out why you were put here and what you - uniquely you - have to offer the community you serve.

Take the step.

One Last Thought:

If you’re ready to stop worrying about looking “embarrassed” and start showing up with intention, clarity, and confidence, Jenni Craig & Co. is here to help. From brand strategy to PR to fundraising communications, we help you step boldly into the spotlight, so your mission gets the attention it deserves.