I went to the optometrist last week for my two-year post-LASIK check. As I sat in the chair, looking through different lenses, I was reminded of how something as small as a slight shift in vision can completely change how we see the world around us. One lens was clear and sharp; the other was blurry and disorienting. The difference was immediate, but the takeaway was deeper: the lens we look through changes everything.

When we think about the success we want, we start with a vision of what it looks like—where we want to go, the milestones we want to hit, the roles we want to step into, the money we want to make. But the most important vision is the one we often overlook: the lens through which we see ourselves.

This is crucial because how we view ourselves directly shapes what we believe we’re capable of, and ultimately, what we allow ourselves to step into. When we look through a lens clouded by doubt, fear, or feelings of inadequacy, we shrink our opportunities and limit our choices. Our vision becomes narrow, and we unconsciously accept less than what we deserve.

bell hooks said, “Being oppressed means the absence of choices.” And while many of us aren’t physically oppressed, the lens through which we see ourselves can create an invisible form of oppression. It keeps us stuck in a survival mindset, operating from a place of scarcity, where we believe we have no other options but to keep playing small.

But here’s the truth: you are your best asset, and you have choices. You have the power to redefine how you see yourself, and when you do, you’ll begin to see new possibilities. By choosing to view yourself through a lens of worth, power, and potential, you create the space for bold career moves and aligned opportunities. You stop saying yes to things that drain you and start stepping into opportunities that reflect your true value and desires.

If you're unsure where to start, consider leveraging a tool like The Bold Career Roadmap, which is designed to help you navigate your career with authenticity and courage.

Authenticity as a Navigational Tool

In your career and work world, you’ll often experience foolishness—people doubting your abilities, trying to silence your voice, or pushing you into boxes you don’t fit in. But authenticity is your compass. When you show up as your authentic self, unapologetically, you reclaim your power. You become the kind of leader who isn’t afraid to take up space, advocate for yourself, and push back on the limiting narratives placed on you.

bell hooks said, “If any female feels she needs anything beyond herself to legitimate and validate her existence, she is already giving away her power to be self-defining, her agency.” This is why authenticity is non-negotiable. When you look to others for validation, or allow external standards to define you, you give away your power. But when you see yourself as enough, as fully capable and worthy, you can move through your career—and life—anchored in your own agency and strength.

Redefining you starts with shifting the lens through which you see yourself. The first step in living your bold potential is reclaiming the narrative of who you are and what you are here to do. When you start seeing yourself through a lens of power, worth, and possibility, your career vision naturally follows. You’ll navigate your career with clarity, conviction, and confidence because you’re no longer operating from a space of fear or doubt.

So, before you set the next goal, take a moment to check the lens you're using. Is it sharp and aligned with your true potential, or is it blurry with self-doubt, societal expectations, or past failures? Are you seeing yourself as someone who deserves the success you want, or are you still viewing yourself through a limiting lens?

Because the vision you have for yourself will either limit or unleash you. And career success, real career fulfillment, starts by seeing yourself as the bold, capable, and powerful individual you are.

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Meet Georgia Wolfe-Samuels

Georgia Wolfe-Samuels is a CPA turned Personal Branding Coach and Career Strategist, Restaurateur, Author, and Speaker dedicated to empowering women to liberate their authenticity in their working world. With over 20 years of experience in public accounting and a profound passion for mentoring, Georgia is an advocate for women’s empowerment. She leverages her extensive background to help women navigate their careers with courage and confidence and develop personal brands that resonate with their true selves.

If you’re ready to transform not just your career but also your life, and step into a role where you are valued, seen, heard, and promoted, let’s connect. Georgia offers comprehensive programs, including courses (The Redefine Your Career Brand Course), workshops, and one-on-one coaching, all designed to empower you to show up authentically and powerfully in your working world.

Interested in how we can collaborate to transform your professional journey? Contact Georgia to discover how her consulting services, workshops, or courses can help you build a thriving personal brand and achieve a fulfilling career. Whether you're seeking to make significant changes in your current role or aspiring to elevate your professional presence, Georgia’s expertise will guide you every on your journey.

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