Thought for the week: How to know if you’re playing small

Posted by Voice of a Global Warrior

“Playing small”, or “settling for less”, isn’t something that anyone can define for you. It’s a deeply personal concept, and one which requires a level of self-awareness and honesty not everyone is prepared to face.

Success isn’t necessarily defined by external markers like your job title or how much you earn. In this quote, Nelson Mandela suggests that a lack of passion can be a clue that we’re not making the impact we’re truly capable of.

Over the course of the next few days, check in with yourself.

  • How often do you feel genuine passion for your activities?
  • Do you feel that you’re “settling” for less than you are capable of?
  • As a leader, where could you be acting more boldly than you are currently?

There are no right or wrong answers here; your perception may change over the course of weeks, months or years. Often, a step which took huge courage when we first made it can become familiar over time, until the next point we are called to step up and expand.

How can you keep maintaining that passion and purpose throughout your life?