Robin Deluna

I typically discourage seeking external validation.

But sometimes, when you see someone believe in you with such confidence, you can borrow their belief for a short while, and it pushes you to a different place.

It can be the bridge from "I can't do this", to "if they believe I can do this, then maybe I can". That small shift in thinking can help someone take a small step forward.

To explore what it looks like to do this for your employees, ask yourself:
1. How can I show this person I believe they can do it?
2. What does it look like to believe in someone else?
3. What does it sound like to express my belief in them?

Leaders, believe in your people. Sometimes it's what they need to show up in a way they never have.

This is 4-year-old Robin, and she had big dreams.

She wanted to be a singer, a poet, and an author of many books. She slept with 4 night lights because she was deathly afraid of the monsters under her bed.

She named all her stuffies, kissed all 27 before bed, and rotated sleeping with each one of them so they felt equally loved. Her mom always said her "little eyes would dance". She was so happy, and laughed so much, it annoyed her older brother.

This little girl deserves a good future. One where she has a fair chance to be all she can be, and a future where she actually believes she can create anything she wants.

Somewhere along the way, life took over and she stopped believing in herself. She thought success was for other people, and she doubted everything in her life - mostly herself. She stopped seeing her uniqueness as a gift and tried to be like others, silencing her strengths, silencing her laughter, and silencing her creativity.

Forty years later, my adult self has arrived. I'm doing my best to show up for her in a way that I never have. My eyes dance again, and I'm paving a path that is aligned with my truest desires. I'm certain that 4-year-old Robin would look forward to her future, knowing her journey is fruitful and full of life experiences on every spectrum. Taking care of her is my number one priority.

What about you? How are you showing up for your 4-year-old-self? Are you living the life your younger self wanted? Are you taking care of their heart and dreams? If not, what is stopping you?

This exercise is so POWERFUL, and I do it with my clients. Look at a picture of your younger self and be reminded of all those things you forgot. Notice how this beautiful being is worthy of all the unconditional love in the world. Feel the love and compassion for that little person. Show that little person how much you love them today and every day.

Just me and my little!

This makes me wish humans had tails.

I spent the last two days of my life crying.

Some of the tears were happy, and some were not. It was a roller coaster of emotion that I am still trying to process.

I attended the Annual Mastermind for the school that changed my life and taught me the skills to help others' change theirs--The Life Coach School.

That's right. I'm a life coach. I say that loud and proud, where once I was embarrassed.

The picture you see here, is of a group of people that are making millions changing the lives of others. They had the courage to believe in the impossible. They put one foot in front of the other even when they didn't think they could. They completely changed their identity, and how they show up in the world.

Because of their determination, they pave the way for other women like me.

To be in a room full of like-minded humans who stand in the purpose of changing the world by changing themselves first, was beyond something I can describe. I am grateful to be a part of this movement.

The past two days gave me life, but it also brought up all my s**t.

Self-doubt, and fear shows up in anything you do that is outside your comfort zone.

My biggest takeaway from this event is my new thought that it might be possible for me to be one of these women.

I will practice this until I believe it.

The last two days was hard, and I would do it again ten times over.

Expressing your creativity is so important, even into adulthood. Art allows you to be in your own head for a period of time in a world that is externally focused. A world that teaches children to compare themselves to others and follow the crowd.

My 6-year-old son, Rocco, started taking classes at The Houston School of Art and Design and it's been amazing. He showed an interest in art very early on, and we found a place he loves. This was his first project. If you are a Pokeman' fan, you know who this is .

He is learning how to use paints, colored pencils, and draw. Most importantly, he can switch off the outside world for a couple hours a week and create something that is uniquely his.

Our intent is to help create these opportunities to switch off and build his confidence in something that is unique to him. Opportunities where he can say "I did that!". Art is exactly that, and the smile on his face was worth every penny.

As adults, it is so important to create these opportunities for ourselves as well. I'm working on what that looks like for me.

I love how children can help us remember these things. This is the best part of experiencing life with a little one.

When you find a letter you wrote almost two years ago, to your past self...

You can't help but smile and realize the message still resonates.

The truth is, I wasn't sure I could be a good coach. I wasn't sure I could become a speaker. I wasn't sure I could stop worrying about other peoples' opinions long enough to allow myself to be "new" at something, to be "not perfect".

The final sentence says it all.

I Love You Robin. Good Job!

Do you write yourself letters? It's so powerful. Even more powerful when you read it from the place where you have achieved what you set out to do.

This is what I teach women to do. Love yourself. Connect with yourself. Become your biggest fan, and celebrate your wins because that's your job, no one else's.

Oh man, what I wouldn't tell 20-year-old Robin right now!

Am I the only one who does this?

If I could sit down across from the table and have coffee with her I would tell her that one day, she will feel confident enough to start her own business. WHAAAAT!

Even today when I type that out my mind is still blown.

I would also tell her that:
-It's okay to make mistakes as long as you pick yourself back up
-You can't feel real love until you learn to love yourself first
-Pay attention to how you talk to yourself because it matters
-Don't be scared to talk about your achievements, and
-YOU ARE WORTHY OF CREATING THE LIFE OF YOUR DREAMS

I really needed to hear that back then! And in a sense, I needed a little reminder today too.

What would you tell your past self if given the opportunity?

I can see her because I am her.

She recognizes and elevates others. She leads with compassion and does not judge others for their mistakes.

She empathizes and provides encouragement. She is intentionally vulnerable so that others are comfortable to show up as themselves.

She is ready to change how the world views leadership because she knows that leadership can come from a soft place. She is quiet and bold when she needs to be. She leads with her heart.

She is creative and unafraid to step out. She is 100% herself, because she loves who she is.

She radiates energy so that she can share that energy with others. She smiles. She shines bright. She is real, and feels all her feelings.

She prioritizes herself always. She loves hard. Her family is her foundation. She is humble and grounded. She is not nervous for the unknown, but ready.

She can handle what it takes to fulfill her purpose. Not because she's "strong", but because she picks herself back up when she falls, and she loves herself through all of it.

I love this woman. I am this woman. This woman is ME.

Have you ever written your vision for yourself. I encourage you to do it.

First, write it from a place of visualizing who you want to be, then step into that place. It's powerful. You are powerful.

All your power is within your presence RIGHT NOW.

You don't have to create it. You only need to take the time to recognize it.

I have a magic pill in my pocket.

As a creative, the only pill I swallow each day is showing up consistently to learn as I go. You're welcome because now you have the magic pill, too!

While it’s not a flashy “quick fix” claim, I’ve learned that nothing is as effective as a dose of real-world experience!

Do you have a magic pill? Please share because I'm looking to add to my medicine cabinet. Haha!

Life is full of it's ups and downs, it's challenges and obstacles, and all the messiness in between. What are you going to make it all mean?

Even though we don't think we have a choice what to believe about it all, we do. We have ALL the choices.

Next time you are feeling challenged about something outside of you, ask yourself why you are feeling this way, and listen to the answer. Then decide if this is worth the time and energy you are dedicating to it. Don't dismiss it, but really listen.

Either answer is okay. But once you have a better understanding of where you stand, you will be in a better position to take action, or let it go.

Too often we spin out in [insert negative emotion] because we don't pause to make this conscious decision about what to think or do about it. Rather we engage in the same automatic thought loops that continue to create the same negative experience over and over again.

That's exhausting.

Sometimes you will be able to easily redirect your energy, and other times you'll have to work at it. You'll have to remind yourself of your decision, and rewire your thought loop to a new one. Don't give up. Give it some time, but decide, and do the work.

You are worth it.

Trauma...

Recognizing your existence took me decades to achieve.

Now I see you, I hear you, and I'm strong enough to face your truth.

I can feel your pain and be grateful for the lessons you brought.

I can feel sad about the experience and appreciate the empathy it created.

You are ugly and beautiful. I don't have to pick one side. I can experience both, because that's life.

Joy and pain.

Love and loss.

Happiness and sadness.

Knowing I can feel it all and still be okay is my power, my strength, and my responsibility to embrace.