The title refers to an Australian cultural expression that describes a "disease" that feeds on the notion that anyone who appears to represent high ability or admirable qualities (also known as 'tall poppies') must be attacked, demeaned, and brought down to the common level. And a "poppy clipper" is a woman that serves the comeuppance. The article I found went on to say, "Individuals with TPS, (known as "poppy clippers") believe others' perceived advantages to be an affront--an unbearable reminder of their own shortcomings.”
Could it be that our sisters in arms really would undermine, rather than celebrate, our successes in order to avoid looking at their own lack of personal and professional progress? Let's say that is the case. Would someone's perceived disapproval be enough to knock you off track and prevent you from attaining all that you dream of?
I raise a challenge to women-kind; let's create a different kind of garden. Let's create the type of garden that knows that nurturing the growth of others in turn nurtures our own growth. Tall poppies, compact marigolds, slender irises, wild daisies…they can all thrive.
What would be a good first step? Look around at your own personal landscape. Is there someone that you've seen struggle to attain recognition, a career achievement or a personal goal? Ask yourself “what's the most powerful thing I can do to assist this person?” With their success, the light shines on you as a powerful leader, an effective mentor.
And then? How about opting out of those situations where it would be so easy to gossip and trip up another woman's progress?
The Dali Lama said "be the change you wish to see in the world". Put down the garden shears and start tending the garden of humanity.
Together, let's figure out some strategies to help you successfully navigate from becoming to being, send me an email and tell me what your dreams are. kirstenhallcareercoach@gmail.com
Today, choose joy!
Kirsten Hall, MBA
Career Coach
kirstenhallcareercoach@gmail.com
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Space Between Becoming and Being
"How is everything going?"
Seems like an innocuous question, and for the most part, it is. Friends and family are supposed to care about your well being, right? Did you ever get the feeling like there was more to that question than meets the eye? Like maybe you should be prepared for an interrogation that will leave you exhausted? Well, what can you do about it?
If you've decided to make a major life change; new job, marriage, moving to a new town, starting school, whatever, you are building the infrastructure for a whole new you and a whole new way of life. Exciting, right? The trouble for some arises when the new you conflicts with the role you are expected to play in other's lives.
During a transformation, you are vulnerable to your environment. You might feel a little unsure of yourself. Once your journey begins, you might be questioning your reasons for making the change in the first place. Like a snake shedding its skin to make room for the new, those precious few moments between becoming and being are tricky.
It’s during this time that you may have those interrogators that are actually caught off balance by your change and seek to pull you back into the world you used to occupy. Interrogators pull you off your own path and drain your energy because you judge yourself by what they might be thinking.
Safeguard your dreams from those that would steal your energy. Give yourself time to grow into your new skin without running the risk of shortchanging your growth. For those that inquire with your best interests at heart, share your new adventure with them. For those that have other intentions, be wary.
Enjoy that space between becoming and being and honor your boundaries. And congratulations on your journey!
Together, let's figure out some strategies to help you safely navigate from becoming to being, kirstenhallcareercoach@gmail.com
Today, choose joy!
Kirsten Hall, MBA
Career Coach
kirstenhallcareercoach@gmail.com
Seems like an innocuous question, and for the most part, it is. Friends and family are supposed to care about your well being, right? Did you ever get the feeling like there was more to that question than meets the eye? Like maybe you should be prepared for an interrogation that will leave you exhausted? Well, what can you do about it?
If you've decided to make a major life change; new job, marriage, moving to a new town, starting school, whatever, you are building the infrastructure for a whole new you and a whole new way of life. Exciting, right? The trouble for some arises when the new you conflicts with the role you are expected to play in other's lives.
During a transformation, you are vulnerable to your environment. You might feel a little unsure of yourself. Once your journey begins, you might be questioning your reasons for making the change in the first place. Like a snake shedding its skin to make room for the new, those precious few moments between becoming and being are tricky.
It’s during this time that you may have those interrogators that are actually caught off balance by your change and seek to pull you back into the world you used to occupy. Interrogators pull you off your own path and drain your energy because you judge yourself by what they might be thinking.
Safeguard your dreams from those that would steal your energy. Give yourself time to grow into your new skin without running the risk of shortchanging your growth. For those that inquire with your best interests at heart, share your new adventure with them. For those that have other intentions, be wary.
Enjoy that space between becoming and being and honor your boundaries. And congratulations on your journey!
Together, let's figure out some strategies to help you safely navigate from becoming to being, kirstenhallcareercoach@gmail.com
Today, choose joy!
Kirsten Hall, MBA
Career Coach
kirstenhallcareercoach@gmail.com
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