Growing up, my dad pushed me to excel academically. He pushed me very hard. I used to complain about it (in my head) because I felt like he was being too hard on me. It actually got in between us because, as he pushed, I pulled away. 

It was only later on – once he was gone – that I realized that he pushed me because he believed in me. He believed that I could achieve things that I couldn’t even conceive of at that point. For a long time, I resented what turned out to be one of the biggest gifts I could have ever received. 

Oftentimes, we encounter people who believe in us, even when we don’t believe in ourselves. It could be a parent, friend, boss, neighbor, colleague, healthcare provider 

etc. They see something in us that we don’t. Yet. They push us to see beyond ourselves and, hopefully, take action.

-Can you recall someone like that in your life?

-How have you reacted to their encouragement? (which could feel like “pushiness”)

-What would it take to see yourself through their eyes? 

-What would it take to believe in yourself?

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