Can I call you out?

The First Full Week of 2025 is complete; how does it feel? ✨

Last week, I promised you something a little spicy, and here it is…

How many of us are pros at spotting patterns and behaviours in others but feel totally blind when it comes to our own? 🙋🏾‍♀️

I know I’ve been guilty of this, and I see it in others all the time. Psychology even has a term for it—the “illusory superiority effect”. It’s a cognitive bias where we tend to overestimate our own abilities and qualities compared to others. Sound familiar?

The truth is, if you want to achieve your goals in 2025, you’ll need to challenge this natural bias and lean into self-awareness. This isn’t a tick-box exercise—it’s a journey of self-discovery that includes introspection, gathering feedback, and using tools to truly understand yourself.

Let’s unpack how you can start building this skill today 👇🏾:

1.Self-Study: The Honest Truth

Here’s where we start, and yes, it’s ironic. Self-awareness begins with being brutally honest with yourself. Are you willing to take a hard look in the mirror and confront the things that might be holding you back?

Ask yourself this: is your inner world a safe space? Sadly, for many people, the answer is no. Instead of being kind and compassionate, they’re deeply self-critical, living in a constant loop of judgement. But here’s the thing—if you can’t trust yourself to be your own safe haven, where else will you find that security?

Self-study isn’t about nitpicking or beating yourself up. It’s about learning to sit with the uncomfortable truths while also building yourself up. Think of it as cultivating a deeper relationship with yourself—warts and all.

Books, articles, and courses are brilliant for expanding your perspective and building self-awareness.

✨ My Recommended Reading:

• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle: Mindfulness and presence.

• Atomic Habits by James Clear: Strategies for habit tracking and behaviour change.

• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz: A gem I’ve recommended before.

• The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav: It’s a bit woo-woo, but it’s been transformative for me and many others!

2.The Power of Feedback (Yes, It’s Uncomfortable)

Now, I can hear you already: “Patrice, everyone knows feedback is important!” But let me stop you there. Knowing and doing are two very different things.

Let me tell you a little story. Back in the day, when I was a fresh new manager, I was terrible at receiving feedback. Defensive? 100%. Tears in the loo? Yep, that too. But one of my managers gave me advice that shifted my entire perspective:

Once I realised that feedback wasn’t an attack on me, it became easier to separate my emotions and focus on growth. This change was a game-changer for my career.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve taken this concept even further. I’ve built what I call my Personal Board of Directors—a trusted circle of people who know my goals, dreams, and ambitions. They have full permission to CALL ME OUT when my actions or behaviours don’t align with what I’ve set out to achieve.

Is it easy? Absolutely not. It takes courage to invite others into your inner world. But when someone you trust gives you tough love, it’s a gift. It forces you to step up, reflect, and grow.

Here’s the thing, though: if you’re always brushing off feedback with excuses like, “I know, but…” people will eventually stop bothering. And that’s a dangerous place to be because growth happens when you lean into the discomfort, not avoid it.

3.Build a Network That Elevates You

Here’s a hard truth: sometimes, it’s in other people’s best interests for you to stay the same. When you start growing, it forces them to confront their own comfort zones—and not everyone is ready for that.

But staying stagnant for the sake of others isn’t an option. If you want to be your best self, you need to surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow, who inspire you to reach higher, and who celebrate your success, not resent it.

This doesn’t mean cutting people off entirely. It’s about diversifying your network to include people who are striving for something more. Because here’s the thing: if you’re not moving forward, you’re not just standing still—you’re falling behind. The world is moving forward every single day, whether you like it or not.

Why This Matters for 2025 🚀

If you’re going to go after your goals this year, go all in. Don’t settle for mediocrity or let yourself off the hook with half-hearted efforts. Self-awareness is the key to unlocking your potential.

When you’re truly self-aware, you become unstoppable. You’ll understand your strengths and weaknesses, you’ll invite meaningful feedback, and you’ll surround yourself with people who lift you higher. And honestly, why bother doing anything halfway?

I have a list of 9 things I recommend to build self-awareness, reply “9” to this newsletter and I will give you access.

Take a moment to reflect. Who are the people you trust to hold you accountable, push you forward, and remind you of who you’re striving to be?

If you’re ready to dive deeper, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Reply to this email or share with me on social.

Let’s start 2025 with clarity, honesty, and purpose.

With Peace, Love and Determination

🎯 National Mentoring Month: Sundays with Vernā

My episode with the incredible Vernā Myers is out now, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with you! 🎉

When my book launched, I mentioned Vernā’s powerful trademarked quote during my CBS interview—and that moment led to her team connecting with me. Fast forward to this summer, we recorded this unforgettable podcast episode, and I’m so proud to finally bring it to you.

This conversation is packed with insights and actionable ideas, and it highlights an intervention that couldn’t be more important.

Thank you, Vernā, for acknowledging me as the global thought leader on the subject of reverse mentoring. 💡

Let’s keep moving forward with momentum! 🚀

#Leadership #ReverseMentoring #InclusionMatters #SundayswithVerna