Desperation Turned Lifelong Gift, A Conversation with Helene Lerner
Desperation Turned Lifelong Gift, A Conversation with Helene Lerner “True confidence isn’t fearlessness; it’s having the courage to move forward while your knees are shaking.”
Overweight, exhausted, and distraught, Helene Lerner found herself hanging one foot out of a window, on the verge of suicide. It was that Saturday night, in her apartment on the West side of New York City, when Helene had an all or nothing moment. “I had all the potential in front of me, but it felt really dark…What happened was, inside of me there was a little voice, as I had my foot at the window saying, Don’t do it Helene, there is more to life. Go and look for it.”
A Moment of Desperation Turned Into a Lifelong Gift
So low, with no place to go, Helene began to reach out for help. “Desperation is a gift.” Listen to the podcast here: http://cbsloc.al/1w3vR0w
Having used food as a soothing mechanism, Helene began with her weight loss journey. An aunt shared a support group with Helene and the stories exchanged there began the healing process. “I kept reaching out. And, I began to say no to things that I didn’t want and yes to things that I wanted…I went deep inside, and I found that inner voice, that spiritual voice, that was saying live Helene, you have something to contribute. Keep going. It’s not going to be easy, but you can do it.”
The voices came often enough to sustain the journey forward… As the years passed, Helene met someone, married, divorced, had her son, met someone else and began her next journey into the world of media. Her passion became television that would empower. “I had this deep, burning desire to make a difference with women and girls.”
With her son strapped to her back, Helene embarked on a mission of service to other women. Knowing nothing about creating television, she left her corporate job and offered her marketing expertise in exchange for courses at the School of Media Arts.
*Great tip- when starting out, offer to exchange services you are good at for additional learning.
Many shows and much networking later, Helene was nominated for a national Emmy her first year with CNN Newsroom and Good Morning America. Helene’s website and social media following at Womenworking.com has grown exponentially. The kind of following that comes only from authenticity, from providing value that resonates with the audience. “I asked to be used in a deeper way. I asked to go out there in a bigger way.“
Change globally starts with personal change in each of us. “We need more women stepping up at every level; government, corporations, non-profits, we don’t want to blow ourselves up. We need women alongside the men.” Do you have the courage to step up and say, “Hey, I’m good at this. If not me, who?”
Do you have the courage to claim your accomplishments? What is Helene Lerner’s Definition of Confidence? In her new book, The Confidence Myth, Helene says that she is redefining confidence with a capital C. “My definition of confidence is moving forward when you think you can make a difference, you’re not sure of the outcome, even if your knees are shaking. You’re out of your comfort zone.” ~Helene Lerner
Playing it safe creates a small footprint and a small life. If you are too comfortable, you are in the danger zone. So, how do you fight against the comfort, against the complacency? Here are Helene’s tips:
• Learn to take calculated risks
• Navigate, rather than “balance” work/life
• Use your gifts “Talent is real and true, we all have it.”
• Discover your purpose
• Take the next right action
• Have the courage to step out in a new way
• Give yourself time to connect “What trumps fear, is to be of service.”
Be sure to listen in to the full episode of Change Maker with Helene Lerner, The Confidence Myth:http://cbsloc.al/1w3vR0w
Enjoyed this post and episode? Please share it. If you find yourself struggling to find your purpose and live it, head on over to Simon Says and watch the video: http://simonsays.com/Authors/Zhena-Muzyka
Thank you for tuning in, with me, each week on Change Maker. Use code “HELENE” for a discount on Time for Me by Helene Lerner at SimpleTruths.com
