“Doing begets more doing. It sounds simple, but I’m a firm believer that action can solve so many worries, and just powering through, no matter what, can give you the confidence you need when you feel like you’ve got nothing to offer. It’s in those moments that we must dig deep, ignore the noise, and lean in.”

This quote came from an unlikely source of personal empowerment.  I read this quote and thought to myself that it could apply to so many aspects of life.  Could it be a reluctant fundraiser? A parent re-entering the work force?  Someone learning to speak publicly?  It could apply to any of these skill-seeking roles or the millions that I have not had room to list.

“Doing begets more doing” is a simple concept that is often forgotten when we define ourselves in relation to our skill sets.  I’ll explain what I mean.

As a part of an organization that helps people craft resumes, we encourage applicants to understand their strengths.  However, in some ways, that tends to reinforce weaknesses, at the same time.  People who begin to think of themselves as good at something may begin to believe that they are bad at others.  It is then that they lose the ability to evolve.

“Lean in” has been used, in the past year since Sheryl Sandberg’s famous, bestselling book was published, as something women should do to move forward and stop slowing ourselves down as a self-protective measure.  And while I see her point and consider it valid, it has become a term used colloquially for pushing ourselves into action.  I’m not sure if it is something that should remain identified with females or not, but I love the idea that all of us – women and men alike – stop getting in our own way.

The quote with which I began this blog post was written by Reese Witherspoon who also shared, “I am more than comfortable speaking in character on a crowded movie set, the idea of standing up in an auditorium full of people, in the glare of the press, and giving a speech that shared an important message, well, that level of formality and responsibility terrified me.”

To the reluctant fundraisers among you, I would encourage you to stop leaning out and start doing.  Then, imagine what you could conquer next.

Read Reese Witherspoon’s entire piece here.