When Being Open Empowers Others to Do the Same
It’s 2020, full pandemic. I’m part of an entrepreneurs community and a mindset coach who is also a member offers a free four-week program to help us find our Why. A bunch of us sign up. The calls ask us to be open, vulnerable.
I don’t remember what the question was, but at one point, I share that I recently ended a 13-year relationship and, with that, left a very comfortable but ultimately unsatisfying life behind.
A little while after that call, I get a message from one of the other members. He and I briefly met at an event but we barely know each other.
He think he needs to leave his wife but hasn’t taken the step yet. Am I open for a chat?
I am, and we talk.
Flash forward to the moment I start writing this, July 10, 2024.
Since our call, that person left his wife, found happiness with another amazing woman, and went all-in on his business where he’d previously kept his corporate consulting job on the side.
He sends me a message on WhatsApp. He’s hosting an event in the next few days and will open it with a talk about vulnerability. He’ll mention me, and he’s recorded a rough version of his presentation so I get to see it even though I won’t be there.
I watch it.
In this presentation, he mentions how I’ve been one of many people who have, by being open myself, helped him to open up about his struggles and feelings.
One call I made the time for 4 years ago is still fresh in someone’s mind.
One call I made the time for 4 years ago has made enough of an impact to get mentioned in a presentation.
Just one call helped someone change the trajectory of their life and, in his words, build better, deeper friendships.
I’m not sharing this to toot my own horn.
I’m sharing this because you never know how big an impact you may have on someone. How much what you do or say may help them move forward.
I don’t think we should always be available for everyone, but when our own cup is full enough, just pouring over a little into someone else’s might just be enough to make a difference.