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3 lessons from doing the thing before I felt ready
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Hi, Reader, This weekend was a huge milestone for me: I opened my art studio to the public for the very first time. I definitely didn’t feel ready. To be honest, I felt a bit nervous, vulnerable, and unsure of what the response would be. But….!! ✨ So many awesome humans came: friends, colleagues, college classmates I haven’t seen in 25 years, neighbors, members of my community, and strangers I’ve never met! ✨ The Dare Yourself™ canvas — my interactive art project where I ask people to share what they dare themselves to do and then paint their dare into a collective piece — came alive with so many dares and color! (I was blown away at the response and can’t wait to share more with you about it. But here's a sneak preview of it in process: ✨ New collectors chose their favorite pieces to take home. I cannot express the joy of knowing that my art is now part of their lives. I’m overflowing with gratitude for every person who showed up, participated, and cheered me on. And here are the 3 lessons I’m carrying forward: Hiding feels safe, but it keeps us small. The moment I shared my art and allowed myself to be fully seen, I felt this huge expansion. Sure, doubt and fear are still here -- it’s part of being human and doing new things. …but they don’t run the show because the joy and freedom of living my dream out loud are so much bigger. 2: Authenticity matters more than perfection. My studio wasn’t pristine, my process for the Dare Yourself collective art piece wasn’t polished. I didn’t anticipate so many people coming so we ran out of water and I didn’t get a chance to talk to everyone. But people who came were full of joy and positive energy. It was electric the studio! No one cared about the imperfections. 3: Dreams expand when we share them. I could have kept my art quiet. I had done that for years. But dreams need witnesses. Opening the door to my studio allowed this dream to grow bigger than me — into a shared experience that others now carry with them. This milestone wasn’t just about showing my art. It was about fully stepping into the next version of myself and daring others to do the same. What dream could you stop waiting on and start taking steps towards right now? Reply and let me know. I would love to cheer you on! With joy, Nataly P.S. I'm thinking about hosting a virtual art studio opening celebration in the next few weeks!🎉 I know a lot of folks would have loved to come this weekend, but don't live in Boston. During the virtual celebration, you'll have a chance to come inside my art studio, hear me talk about some of my new pieces, and even contribute your dare to the collective Dare Yourself artwork! ➡️ If you're interested in attending this virtual celebration, please click here to answer 2 quick questions. Your responses will help us plan this event in a way that will work best for you. 🌟NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Personal Branding For Introverts -- with Goldie ChanReinvention isn’t about becoming someone else—it’s about showing up more fully as you. In this episode, I sit down with Goldie Chan to explore insights from her upcoming book Personal Branding for Introverts and how introverts can build an authentic personal brand without pretending to be extroverts. You’ll learn how to reframe self-promotion as service, share stories that create real connection, and strengthen your voice with confidence. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch it on YouTube. |
DARE YOURSELF with Nataly Kogan
Join 50,000 readers who get my weekly email: one idea and one dare to help you create your next.
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