If you don’t stand for something, you’ll tolerate everything. Think of those times when you have deferred to others who were louder, appeared more ‘in the know’ than you. Perhaps you’ve encountered a bully or three, who wouldn’t even let you speak – your point of view lost in their bravado. Yet it is important that we insist on being heard.

You have an important role to play and no one else has been given that assignment. That assignment should be your priority not something that you should give up on because others are brazen and often disrespectful to you and your contribution. Oftentimes their approach may suggest strength, but in fact, they are masking their own insecurities by shifting the spotlight onto you and your failings.

It is difficult to be yourself, in these circumstances, but you must persist. Being you is hard, especially when you’re afraid to say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing or let someone down. We’ve gotten so good at showing up, saying yes, nodding along until our nervous systems are fried, and we can’t even remember what our assignment was in the first place.

Give yourself the space today to be unapologetically you. Allow yourself to remember why you are where you are…what is your purpose…what is the work that you were meant to be doing. This is important work.

That fear you feel when you want to speak up for your approach, your strategy, your idea, your suggestion – that is the imperfect, fully aligned voice of truth – your truth – and it’s screaming for air.

Speak up. Speak firmly even if afraid. Let your voice be heard. You matter and your contribution is integral to this part of whatever journey you’re currently on. Remember this the next time someone tries to shut you down.