How many times have you read a book, listened to a conference speaker or to a podcast guest and been intimidated by what they’ve achieved?

Or maybe you’re intimidated by the beautiful home of your friend, where the kids seemingly put their bags away without being asked and the kitchen is a haven of fun and creativity. Maybe they even have a sign declaring that ‘Home is where the heart is!’ Urgh! [*no offense to your home décor choices intended.]

But should you really be intimidated by these things?

Are the stories and images putting you off trying something new because you now think you have to be superhuman to pull it off?

I’ve had a few conversations with clients and fellow business owners recently where we’ve concluded we just need to get real about how tough big things are to achieve. And how much you have to learn along the way.

I get called in to support leaders who are transforming themselves or the organisations they lead, to create new operating models for organisations or to turn teams from burn-out to brilliance.

They are great case studies for the aforementioned books, talks and podcasts, but I’d be lying if I said it was all plain sailing. And if my clients wanted to share their experience at the next conference they speak at, I’d be encouraging them to be honest about it. Warts and all.

Problems occurred that we had to solve. Issues arose that we had to overcome.

Yes, the end goal was great, but the journey doesn’t fit neatly into a by-line.

You know what I mean:

• Maybe you had to completely change direction because a competitor launched a market-leading product?
• Perhaps it took twenty heartfelt meetings with the same two change-resistant team members to get them on the bus?
• Or did you just run out of money and have to get creative?

As for the haven at your friend’s house – what you didn’t witness was the 10-minute argument before you arrived about how to stack the dishwasher, the parent yelling at the child who’s apparently lost their sports kit and the last-minute panic about homework that should’ve been done days ago!

Beware the story that looks too good. It’s probably a work version of Insta. You’re being shown the fabulous Met Gala pic, not the 6 hours in hair and make-up, months of boot camp training and the disgusting diet supplements.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE what I do… but it’s not easy. You will hit bumps in the road achieving any big target or change. The success lies in how quickly you recognise the bumps and how creatively you deal with them.

You’ve heard me bang on before about messy change. This is messy work-life. Embrace it. Because it’s all of ours.

PS. Do you have the confidence to make the changes you need to make in your team or organisation? Why not find out by taking my Change Confidence Quiz.

Will you be a Change Chicken who just needs some support to become more Change Confident? Or perhaps you're a bold Change Conqueror who leaps over barriers in a single stride?

Go on – take 10 mins and have some fun finding out here.

When you complete the quiz, you’ll get a bespoke plan that outlines your specific challenges. It includes a step-by-step guide to becoming more change confident and practical tips you can start today. Good luck!