In 2020, I became a CEO. It’s high time I start acting like one.
By: Dina Scippa
Tags: 2021, Unapologetic, Boss, Confidence, Empowerment Of Women

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Last week, I hosted this amazing virtual conference that was all about being our unapologetic selves. I curated an incredible panel of badass women to showcase our collective power that was intended both inspire and give others permission to be themselves. Success would be defined if just one woman in the audience was motivated to stop apologizing for who she is. I know that what was shared at the conference did help at least one person, because that person was me. Defining what being unapologetically ourselves means is deeply personal. And this conversation helped me understand that while finding your definition of being unapologetic isn’t always easy — it is necessary.

I have a complex history with apologizing. While I have made a ton of progress in not feeding into the knee-jerk energy to say I’m sorry, I know that there are still ways that I communicate my apology to the world. Like many young girls, my obsession to over-apologize began early; feeling drawn to anticipate the slightest screw-up and longing to be seen as polite and considerate. Unfortunately, we live in a world that communicates to women and girls that they have to think about other peoples’ needs before their own and worse, that they need to ask for permission to be themselves. These social cues turn women into people-pleasers; and holds us back from being the changemakers we are destined to be.

There are so many unnecessary ways that we communicate our apology in this world, like when:

· We apologize for needing space.

· We apologize for needing help.

· We apologize for being too emotional.

· We apologize for being too much.

· We apologize when we feel like we are bothering someone.

· We apologize for saying yes when we wanted to say no.

I am clear that communicating our apology in this world is a way of shrinking, to appease those around us, and to accommodate those that we perceive to be intimidating or larger-than-life personalities with whom we share space.

Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m not alone when I say 2020 has taught us all multiple lessons. Many people do reflection pieces at the end of a year. It’s timely. I get it. But I’m less interested in reflecting on this year and more interested in calling forth what I want in this next year. And what I don’t want to spend a single second more doing is apologizing for who I am.

As we close the final chapter on the year known for everything it tore down and for everything new it laid in our path, I find myself asking more questions. 2020 placed me on a quest of who I get to be, unapologetically. I find myself asking how can I step more fully into my unapologetic self in the coming year? Who am I choosing to be in this moment? And why am I still holding onto asking for permission?

Clearly, I was the one who had this vision to start Enough Labs (in a pandemic, no less). I wanted to identify strategies to disrupt the narrative that constantly tells women and girls that we are not enough. I was the one who declared that I would add another title to what I do — Founder and CEO. It’s high time I start showing up as her.

Here’s what I at least envision a successful CEO to be: they are self aware, they have vision and they are focused. (Check, check, and check!) But what doesn’t support success is being stalked by nagging fear, one that dilutes ambitions, slows progress and ultimately sabotages the success that one has already attained. Self-aware, vision and focus = unapologetic. Nagging fear, diluted ambiton and self-sabotage = completely apologetic.

In 2021, it’s time to flip the script, break up the toxic relationship with apology and call forth BAD BITCH bitch energy. And here’s why:

Bad bitches don’t chase. They are chased.

I’m calling forth my BAD BITCH energy. I’m only here for the abundance, for fulfilling partnerships, for belief in my creative vision and for stepping powerfully into my purpose and my calling. I refuse to chase and I invite you to call forth the same energy.

Last year, I chose a word that would be my focus and that word was enough. Looking back, I can pinpoint all of the ways I have worked to embody the fundamental belief that I am enough. There is no doubt that embracing this belief will forever be my life’s work; but I’m grateful that I prioritized it even more in 2020. In what has been one of the toughest years of our lifetimes, I’m grateful for the stillness it has offered me. And as we close out 2020, I realize my word(s) for the coming year are let go.

In calling forth the bad bitch energy and showing up as the CEO I want to be, I’m choosing to let go of:

- Being stressed out and choosing overwhelm

- Being unsure of my choices and what I want

- Being afraid to step into the fullness of me

- Being unwilling to speak up for myself in every situation

- Being small when I know my vision is enormous

I’m so ready to let go of all of these things because not only am I clear about what has been getting in the way, I’m also clear that the only way I get to experience the things I want and am looking to create is if I embrace all parts of me.

This first year in business I was obsessed with getting it perfect. This second year, I’m committed to making it feel right for me.

Don’t get me wrong, vision boards are great. But I invite you to consider reflecting on is who are you choosing to be and how are you showing up in order to receive all of the things you are working for. That’s where the good stuff lies and will serve you far longer than the things you have accumulated.

As I look ahead into what will hopefully be a different year, what I’m claiming for myself in 2021 in ways of being is being powerful, unwavering, well-rested, prepared and being unapologetically me.