Limited Edition Leadership Academy WITH PAULA DUNN

Welcome to my new column, my name is Paula Dunn and I’m a Teenage Resilience Expert and Cognitive Scientist. My column will focus on Cultivating a Leadership Mindset. My mission is to help young women and girl create confidence to conquer life, their way! I believe in a future where all girls have equal opportunities to develop leadership skills as part of their lives and not for those in leadership positions.

Speaking from personal experience, I would have loved to have learned about leadership when I was 15 and not after transitioning into a leadership role within corporate. Leadership gave me the tools to be proud to be me, have courage and to live life without limits. Having been born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, limits were already bestowed on me. Doctors told my parents “These kids don’t last long” and teachers put me in special slow learners’ classes for Maths and English because they considered me “Dumb”. But I wasn’t dumb, I was being teased relentlessly both physically and verbally by the boys at school. I had no psychological safety to learn and thrive at school, I was merely surviving.

Now I bring my experience and expertise into my business No Limits Consulting and here on eYs to help you all thrive. Bullying is something I stand up against and I don’t want another young girls or woman feel like they have no voice or power to change their circumstances. I’ve seen how bullying can impact on a personal and professional level and if we don’t take charge of our own destinies, we’ll forever be at the mercy of others.

Through my research I’ve discovered 5 important areas to get you thinking about creating confidence to conquer life your way! They are Confidence, Conscious Inclusion, Cultivation Growth Mindset, Congruence and Collaboration.

2020 has indeed tested our very essence of who we are as humans and as this year is drawing to a close it’s a great time to reflect upon the year that was but also remain optimistic and hopeful that next year will be a new year filled with endless possibilities. So, what better way to reset the mind by creating confidence to conquer life in 2021. Here are 10 Tips to get you thinking:

“Stop thinking you’re doing it all wrong. Your path doesn’t look like anybody else’s because it can’t, it shouldn’t, and it won’t.” – Eleanor Brown

1. BE YOURSELF

Many of our fears and anxieties come from trying to be something other than who we truly are. We compare ourselves to others and feel bad if we haven’t reached our “milestones”, based on what other people think we should have achieved by a certain age. The sooner you realise that you’re a unique individual with unique gifts to offer the world, the sooner you’ll be at peace with yourself and others.

2. DON’T FEAR NOT BEING LIKED OR BEING JUDGED BY OTHERS

One of the biggest concerns we have while growing up is about being part of a tribe or group. The problem with that is we compromise ourselves and move away from the life we truly desire. It’s okay if not everyone likes you. After all, why fit in when you were clearly born to stand out? Your true friends will not judge you but will come from a place of curiosity to respectfully understand your beliefs and perspectives.

3.DON’T FEAR FAILURE – EMBRACE IT

Failure is one of the biggest roadblocks to success, but not for the reasons you may think. Too many people give up and admit defeat before they realise, they could potentially be only one more failure away from achieving success. It really knocks your self-esteem and your ego. However, 90% of people give up on their dreams because they are too uncomfortable to sit within the “failure zone”. If you do have a setback or failure, rise above it by looking at the lessons and setting a better course for next time.

4. TAKE DAILY AND CONSISTENT ACTION

One of the most important tips of all is to just make a start! Many people wait for the right conditions before they take action. They think, “When I have this or become that…” The best time to take action is now, even if you don’t feel ready. Write down your goal and the date you want to achieve it by. Then work backwards and write down what actions you can take each day in order to get there.

5. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

Be careful who you take advice from when you’re shooting for the moon. Many people may have given up on their dreams and will not want to see you succeed in yours. If you surround yourself with visionaries, innovators and disruptors, they will help you manifest your idea. Find a mentor, coach or role model who will help you get out of your own way to achieve the dreams you want to fulfil. As well as encouraging you, they can help you get there sooner

6. NEVER CHANGE THE GOAL, JUST THE JOURNEY

Confident people don’t compromise their end goal if the path becomes too hard. Instead, they ‘pivot’ and try new things. If the journey gets difficult, look for what’s missing. My motto is: “You can either find a way or find an excuse, the choice is yours.”

7. LEARN A NEW SKILL

One of the best ways to overcome self-doubt is to learn something new. It’s easy to become complacent in life and sit within our comfort zones. To shake things up, try something different, whether it’s a hobby, a language or something you can add to your CV to help you stand out. If it scares you and makes you feel a little uncomfortable, do it!

8. GRATITUDE & COMPASSION

A habit of so many successful and happy people are to be thankful for the work they’ve achieved so far, and the lessons that were learned along the way. One tip is to write down just three things each day that you are grateful for. Having compassion for yourself will help you ride the waves of failures, negativity and setbacks in your life. Don’t be your own harshest critic to a point where you stop trying altogether.

9.CELEBRATE THE WINS, HOWEVER SMALL

One thing I’ve learned in business is that we often spend so much time chasing the big goals that we lose sight of the smaller wins. When you do this, you lose motivation and start comparing yourself to others who are further ahead of where you are. Reward yourself as you chip away at your smaller goals, even if it is with something small like a manicure or new outfit.

10. STAY POSITIVE! Instead of saying, “Why me?” instead say, “Try me!” Maintaining a positive mindset throughout your life will help you overcome adversity more quickly and heal faster than those who see the glass as half empty. It takes daily and consistent action to reprogram yourself into creating confidence to conquer life, but your hard work will be rewarded in ways you cannot even imagine.

“Knowing that you have the power within to make your life how you see fit regardless of what others say is true freedom and liberation!” – Paula Dunn.

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ABOUT

Paula Dunn is a Teenage Resilience Expert and Cognitive Scientist who works with teenagers, parents and educators to position them for maximum impact in their studies, personal and professional lives. Paula believes that developing strong identities for life are the building blocks for living your authentic self. Paula has over 20 years experience delivering award-winning people leadership strategies for iconic and international brands such as Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and Cochlear.

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Topics: Career Advice, Confidence, Bullying, study/life balance, Stress/Anxiety, Procrastination, Overwhelm, study habits, Mindset, Motivation and Momentum.

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