Yesterday on a complete whim, I decided to go to a Global Vision conference. I’d never heard of them, and even on my way to the event I had forgotten the name of the organization. Silly, right? It’s probably one of the easiest names out there. However, from the moment I arrived, I entered an engaging and challenging environment. We began with a ‘global challenge’, where each table was given a county to represent and we had a few minutes to prepare a presentation to introduce the country as if we were at a meeting with other global leaders. We were expected to think quickly and bring our A-game with only a few minutes, a bit of scrap paper and several exchanged whispers as our preparation.
The event lasted all day, and included speakers from different companies and organizations. They gave tons of great advice and direction on where to get more information and how to go about entering the global stage. Right from the beginning it was obvious that being part of Global Vision would open up so many opportunities, however it was also clear that it wouldn’t be easy. Being a global leader requires passion, drive, and hard work, but most importantly (and what I think most people overlook) knowing who you are and what you’re after. You require confidence in your abilities. It takes a lot of guts and gumption to be a global leader. Yet not once did I feel discouraged even if I wasn’t entirely sure what I was supposed to do in one of our challenges. The people there, the volunteering graduates, the speakers and even the founder and President, Terry Clifford, were really nice and encouraging and had a way of bringing out our competitiveness. I never felt like they didn’t think we could do it.
I haven’t shared with many people the secret hope I’ve always carried in the back of my head, that on day I’ll be a word leader. I’ve always wondered if I’d be able to take on such a demanding role. Would I be able to give my best every time? Could I actually make a difference? Would I be able to handle if I failed? One of my professors at university always tells us that doubt is dangerous and if we doubt ourselves then it’s easy for the other to break us down. If you doubt, you’re finished. I’ve always carried a considerable amount of doubt which has definitely held me back. But after so much time of living in doubt, there was bound to be a moment that would bring out my confidence. I don’t believe that confidence can ever be killed, it is something that regenerates. Yesterday there was no such feeling of doubt, or thoughts like ‘I can’t do this, it’s too hard’. I felt confident and engaged, but most importantly empowered. Empowered. All this time I was thinking that I just needed to be inspired, but no. I needed to be empowered. That is such an important and powerful feeling. And I think it’s better than just ‘inspiration’ because it’s more than just potential. It takes that initial spark, inspiration, and carries it over into strength. And when we are acting out of our strength, whether it’s political, social, spiritual or educational, it becomes a passion. It is a beautiful sight when someone is empowered. You can see it in their eyes, that hunger, and it shrines right through and it branches out into everything that they do. It is demanding, it is a force that keeps us moving; It has a presence.
I’ve always wanted to make a difference but never knew how to go about it and I definitely wouldn’t even know how to break into the market. Yesterday at the conference was the first time I felt like I had some direction on how to follow my dream of being a global leader.
I’m so grateful that I listened to my intuition and went to the conference. It was an inspiring day and right now I feel like I could reach as high as the moon if I applied myself. And even taking that one step further, I intend to.
If you’d like more information about the organization, their programs or even to check and see if they’ll be hosting a conference in your city, you can visit their website http://www.globalvision.ca/
YAY!! This is my 90th post 
Thanks to all those who have been following me over the last few years 
November 18, 2011 at 08:40
Well on your 90th post you seem to have found a way forward. You can make a difference to others and yourself through action in your community . This can grow to national and global involvement all within 365 days with Global Vision.
Open the next door- you will be glad that you did.