There was a time when I would never have believed that I would launch a podcast never mind show up week in and week out for as long as I have. Now, 100 episodes in to No More Hiding and I couldn’t’ imagine not! Don’t get me wrong, it can be hard work, but I love being able to share this journey with you and discuss such important topics.
This podcast is one of my biggest achievements in terms of my own ‘no more hiding’ because unless you have heard my story then you won’t know that I spent a long time hiding and not telling the world about my ideas or owning my expertise – and this is the reason I now support women to do this for themselves!
The importance of a good support network
I have to thank my expert editor and producer, Edgar Millan for helping me to get the show out every week. As well as the amazing Liz Wilkins who was the driving force behind my podcast. It all started as an interview series, and without Liz’ suggestion of turning it into a podcast it’s likely that’s where it would have ended.
Those that have been fans from the beginning will know that No More Hiding originally started out as ‘introverts inspire’ and was an interview series of incredible guests about their own introversion and how it didn't stop them from achieving all they wanted. So if you are more of the introverted personality type then definitely go back to the beginning and check out some of those original interviews here.
But back to Liz Wilkins. Liz helped me get the podcast off the ground - her wisdom, project management, amazing accountability, and motivation really helped to get the podcast live 2 years ago. Together we were able to move my one off interview series to something that is still going, having impact, making a difference, and most importantly, is something that is enjoyable. That’s the key to keeping a podcast moving forward and growing the audience… you have to have fun with it.
It just shows, support networks really are everything. As much as you may want to, you can't do everything yourself. Plus when there are people around you who want to support you and believe in what you do as much as you, why should you have to do everything yourself?
Pushing the limits
No More Hiding will always be one of my own biggest achievements in terms of my own visibility, but there are still plenty of other things still on my to do list that will further stretch my limits and self-belief; both in my work and personal life.
One of which is a Marathon in October to fundraise for women's aid. Such a worthy cause gives me the motivation I need to carry on with my training and keep going in those moments when I think I can’t do anymore or I don't have what it takes - because this is what happens with visibility too. You know you need to be seen and heard yet you still hold back and find reasons not to.
So ask yourself, are you still hiding?
‘Hiding’ can range from avoiding sending that email or speaking up and sharing your ideas to telling yourself you don't have what it takes or procrastinating and not doing the things you know you should really be doing. But most of all it's about recognising your value, your expertise at work and believing in yourself and what you really want.
No more hiding
If you are still hiding, do you know why you are hiding?
A lot of the women I have worked with who have figured out the root of why they’re hiding are now actually visible in ways they never thought they would do. They are owning their expertise by telling others about what they do and the results they get - and not just telling their own organisation and boss but taking it wider and making sure they are raising their profile externally too. Not only is this a massive confidence boost, but it also puts you on the map and gives you the edge. It helps you speak up, get the recognition that you deserve and it boosts your career progression. All because you have more clarity about what you want, meaning you’re saying yes to those new opportunities… or even creating your own opportunities.
There is nothing stopping you apart from yourself, and let's face it, that's what we do. We get in our own way.
Here’s to No More Hiding. You in?