Rekindling Confidence Through Connection

Earlier this month, as I was walking into work, I ran into a woman I had trained a few years ago. Our paths had crossed many times before, but it had been a long while since we’d last seen each other. We greeted each other with an enthusiastic hug and then tried to catch up on four years in four minutes. She was surprised to hear that I now had three kids. Upon learning this, she offered me some unexpected validation that I didn’t even know I needed.

“Oh my gosh! I bet you are the best mom! You have always been so good at taking care of people!”

She continued with such genuine enthusiasm, one of my favorite things in a person, sharing how my humor, patience, and empathy had helped her grow over the years. She gave specific examples of how a piece of coaching I had shared had become an integral part of her decision-making process. There I was, standing on Woodward Ave at 8:40 AM, stunned by this heartfelt outpouring of gratitude. It made me feel so seen, appreciated, and valued—it’s a feeling that has stayed with me ever since.

I shared a bit of this story on my other social media accounts, and what happened next surprised me even more. Dozens of past trainees and business partners reached out, sharing how I had impacted their journeys and successes. The experience was humbling, emotional, eye-opening, and energizing.

What these kind people didn’t know was that this year has been one of significant growth for me—which is basically synonymous with discomfort, isn’t it? Impostor syndrome has been a familiar companion this year, and I’ve found myself second-guessing what I once felt confident about. Thankfully, that is starting to change.

As the smoke clears and I regain my confidence, this moment reminded me of something important: no matter where I’ve found myself, I’ve always prioritized taking care of my people. It’s so deeply a part of who I am that I hardly notice it, but hearing that others do felt like a huge hug. Learning about the specific ways I’ve impacted others’ lives was exactly the reminder I needed.

The end of the year always brings a sense of reflection. I find myself flipping through my calendars, both personal and professional, asking: Who did I see? What did I work on? Which relationships did I nurture? What did I learn? I look back at photos on my phone, remembering weeknight dinners, evolving baby faces, cute outfits, and date nights.

‘Tis the season of annual reviews and holiday card blurbs. This moment won’t make it into either, but it will stay with me for a long time—maybe even forever. As I look ahead to 2025, I have this to carry with me when I’m faced with tough spots: I am the best mom and I am so good at taking care of people.