Last week we spent a fascinating morning watching Portrait Artist of the Year being filmed.
It’s one of our favourite shows, and it was a complete pleasure to watch multiple creative processes in action - from the crew to the artists to the sketching around the edges.
One of the sitters (I promise no spoilers), shared their appreciation about the way that other people can see something in you that you haven’t seen in yourself.
Not necessarily anything that’s visible on the outside, more of a quality or an energy that shines out from the inside.
Something that leads them to trust that you’re the right person for the part, or offer you an opportunity, or encourage you to pursue something that truly matters to you.
It sparked a wholehearted yes in me!
It’s so hard to see ourselves clearly - we’re on the inside looking out, not the outside looking in.
So, it’s a gift to have others reflect back what they see in us - for so many reasons.
It helps us notice and appreciate the energy we bring and the impact we have when we show up with a sense of purpose.
It gives us the reference points and the language to describe the skills, strengths and experience we bring with us.
It gives us confidence in our unique contributions, especially as they can be so innate that we take them for granted, or we’re more focused on the areas we think we need to do better.
It can connect us with something we wouldn’t have found on our own, and point us in a helpful direction.
It’s both a lovely and a useful thing to know.
What do other people see in you?
Do you recognise the picture they paint?
And what feels different when you can see it yourself?
Wishing you a wonderful week,
