A lot of people mocked Angelina after the awards. But I was in awe. I admired her style. And I thought she was completely bad ass.
That night she looked into the camera, cocked her right leg and said to all of us, “I am Angelina. Y’all better recognize!” And I had a serious case of confidence envy.
Sometimes I worry that my style, manner of communicating, and ideas might make others uncomfortable. When that feeling comes over me, I retreat. I become a little more quiet. I become a little smaller. I become a little less of who I am.
I have achieved some success, but this practice of “shrinking” has interfered with me living my best life. I have done this at work. I have done this in social situations. And I know that I did it when I was in front of Donald Trump during my “Apprentice” tryouts in 2006. That’s I was never on the show.
Angelina seems to embrace who she is. However, I think that there are other women out there like me.
I am not the only woman who is sabotaging her success by failing to embrace the fullness of who she is. For a lot of us, sometimes it is easier to blend in that it is to shine.
But I no longer want easy. I want to be strong. I want to be bold. I want the confidence embodied by Angelina the night of the Oscars. She didn’t stutter. She didn’t stumble. And she didn’t shrink. I was inspired.
I may never be on the red carpet or present at the Oscars. However, during my next presentation, I may just stick my right leg out!
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