I took several personality and leadership assessments during my career sabbatical in 2023 as I contemplated my professional and life goals and plans.
One of the assessments I worked on with a coach brought up an interesting insight. It suggested that I sometimes wait for an invitation to share my unique perspective or creative ideas, and that I might benefit from allowing myself to speak and share my creative point of view more freely. I wonder if you can relate?
I’m not sure how true that assessment has been in my professional endeavors and the leadership positions I’ve held over the past twenty years. Perhaps to a small degree I may have been cautious at times, especially if/when I was the youngest, the only woman, or the only LGBT person in the room. But I always overcame fear and self-doubt to share my POV at work in order to help the greater good.
However, the assessment helped me realize that yeah, I’ve been waiting for an invitation, or permission maybe, to share my deepest creative passions of writing, making music and making art. I’ve been holding back for a long time. Mostly because of my own self-judgements. And also out of fear of what other people may think.
Having that realization inspired me to consider how to solve it. And the answer came early one morning during a meditation: I could make myself an invitation. I can invite myself to share more freely, let go of fear, let go of expectations, and just create and share. Create and share. And enjoy the process. And learn. And connect with people in more meaningful ways along the way.
So I did. And here it is:
Now, a year later, I’ve made over 20 new large abstract paintings. I’ve sold one that raised $2k for charity, commissioned a piece for a family in North Carolina, and I’m about to display 6 paintings at a beautiful new event space in downtown Orlando.
An Invitation Turned into a Book
Now, I’ve turned that invitation into the cover of my new art portfolio book. This book is an invitation to you, to all of us, to become and share more of who we truly are. I hope you enjoy. And if you see something you like, I’d love to hear from you.
Heather Pownall 