LeAnn Rimes, Mongers and Biggest Fans
Last October, I received an email from the producer of LeAnn Rimes' podcast Wholly Human asking me to be a guest. She had read my book The Happier Approach and loved it so much she wanted to talk with me about it on her show. I couldn't believe it-it was a massive opportunity for me. I shared about my Monger's initial reaction in a previous post.
We scheduled the interview in November and had a wonderful conversation (much of which I don't remember because I was so nervous). I knew the show wouldn't be released until early 2022, so I put it all in a box and waited.
This week, a PR release announced the show with the other guests she interviewed:
Three bestselling authors and me, a self-published anxiety coach.) Yep, it fired up my Monger big time. "You don't belong with these women. I mean, who do you think you are?! Small town girl from Lancaster, Ohio, you think you can hang with these amazing women?"
She rambled on for most of the morning. Finally, my Biggest Fan stepped in and said, "It doesn't matter why you are here, but you are here, and you have worked hard for this. Don't let your Monger suck all the joy out of this." And I realized YES. I am NOT letting my Monger suck the joy out of this one. She is NOT going to win here.
For too many years, I let her keep me safe by playing down opportunities, minimizing and shaming my work, and making me feel like a giant loser. But not this time. I am going to work this so hard that she will not win. And I have been actively working on it. Practicing A.S.K. like it is a full-time job and soaking up the fun of this opportunity.
Throughout the week, as I have shared this news with family and friends and tentatively shared that I am in the same category as Martha Beck and Mel Robbins, their response is either who is Martha Beck and Mel Robbins? OR of course, you are, you have a lot to offer, can't you see that?!?
I am trying to. My Biggest Fan is stepping in a lot, and we are working hard to keep the joy of this experience alive.
Mel Robbins is the first person interviewed on the new season of Wholly Human. In the past, I wouldn't have listened to Mel's interview because I wouldn't want to give my Monger more ammunition. But I decided to fully embrace this experience I would listen. I put on the episode in my car, and as Mel was talking, my BFF stepped in. "You are so much better than her." That is what the BFF does; it makes us feel better by slamming other people down.
As my BFF was chatting, I could feel my anxiety rising. I was antsy, playing with my hair, moving around in my seat, and wishing it would be over so I could stop feeling insecure. And again, my Biggest Fan showed up and said, "Woah, slow down and listen. She shares a similar message to you—we need to be honest about our struggles, and we need to have our own back."
Mel calls it the High Five Habit I call it practicing Self Loyalty. Same message which will reach different people. I immediately relaxed and listened. Mel shares how insecure she felt and how she always felt like a failure no matter her success. "Hello?!" my Biggest Fan said, "Sound familiar?!?! She has a Monger too. Because we are all doing the best we can with what we have, we are all human."
Wholly Human, as LeAnn would say.
You can listen to my episode and all the other awesome conversations here: listen to Wholly Human.
I am determined to experience the joy of this opportunity and not let my Monger or BFF take me down too many rabbit holes. Here is to working it and the power of A.S.K.