So Reader, I spent two and a half days last week in Manhattan with a hundred or so people smarter than me. 🧠

And it's the best thing I'd done all year.

The group's called "Recognized Experts," and its members are known informally as "RExers." And yes, the name provokes loud laughter from my family, not only for its implicit goofiness but also for the fact that, alas, I, too, am considered a "RExer".

Hosted by one of my mentors, Dorie Clark, author of several books including The Long Game and Reinventing You, the room was overflowing with accomplished, successful authors, speakers, coaches, and strategic advisors in areas from finance to tech to healthcare.

So yes, it's an easy room to feel intimidated in.

• "Oh wow, their book is soooo much better than mine. . ."
• "Oh man, their TEDx talk's gone VIRAL???"
• "Oh geeze, that comment was so SMART . . ."

But I made myself a promise going in: that I'd be there to learn and connect, not to compare.

(Believe me, I had to keep writing that in my journal all through the sessions.😇)

But this is how we are, right? We sometimes keep ourselves OUT of the bigger rooms because we're afraid of not being good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, fast enough... enough enough.

And yes, at one point I wasn't going to go. I'm grateful I won the battle of the brain on this.

I know I'm not alone. Based on what I hear from my clients, I believe we're in a moment in time when the world's encouraging us to hide and stay small. Which makes lots of sense, except it's completely wrong-minded.

After all, if we're not stepping in, up, and out, how can we help the people we're meant to help?

So how about YOU, Reader? What's the "bigger room" you need to show up for now? The boardroom, the club room, the Zoom room or just making more room in your brain for what's next for you?

➡️ Hit REPLY and tell me where/who you want to be--and what's holding you back. I love hearing from you and often have a tool or article that can help!

(Also, don't forget that private coaching is a tool to help you build confidence and credibility to get into whatever room you need--including the room in your head! Schedule a free consult with me here (and yes, you're ready.)​

I'm still inhaling all the learning from that trip--and recovering from the NYC fun my family and I had the weekend afterward (see photo below), Nor'easter be damned. And to think--there was a moment where I wasn't sure I wanted to be in that room. I'm glad part of my brain overrode the part that wanted comfort and safety.

This week, I'll encourage you to think about the bigger room YOU want to be in--and of course, when I can help, please just ask. Thanks for being here!

Always, Darcy

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P.S. As promised . . .

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