I worked with a new client today and we embarked on a journey to figure out what she needs to do to leave her job and start her own firm. We created a roadmap. We started by exploring her personal brand… what’s her unique position in the practice of law and what personally sets her apart from the rest. It’s a very vulnerable place to poke around; it’s not for the faint of heart. In my effort to find encouragement to share with her I found a speech by Dr. Brene Brown, Why Critics Aren’t The Ones Who Count. It so gets to the core of our fears when we embark on new ventures… we stand at the ledge and look out. What do we see? What can we hold on to to help us move forward, little step after little step? Brown addresses the critic both external and the one in our head. She reminds us that the critics AREN’T the ones that matter and AREN’T the people we should be trying to please. If you are on a ledge looking to create a new future for yourself, listen and I believe you will find courage and comfort in her words. Enjoy!