Nobody's Celebrating You — And Why That Matters

"Hi, I'm Laura. Since I was young, I had a little voice in my head that said, 'Why are we here? And there must be something more.' I've spent years researching about life and why some people find massive success and some don't. So, let's connect here weekly and talk about topics that will elevate our soul and inspire greatness from within." "Hello. Hello, welcome to the show today, Inspire greatness within. I am Laura Jane and I'm honored that you're here, so that we can gather together with some thoughts and maybe can trigger some ideas for you. But the other day, I was listening to a Miley Cyrus interview. Yes, guys, look, I'm not a big fan. She's a little bit older. So, you know, I grew up with Britney Spears sort of style and I'm not really a pop fan. However, I did get caught up in the whole internet going down the rabbit hole one night on the weekend, just a little bit of downtime and I decided to jump in and look at this interview with Miley Cyrus. Why not, right? And to be honest with you, I was sort of blown away. There was things that I learned about her. She is someone who's obviously been brought up in the limelight. She's been famous since day dot. Her dad was very, very famous and so forth. He came from nothing and grew his whole stardom and then, of course, gave his daughter heads up in this world, I guess. But this interview was really, really fascinating because then that's why I decided to do this whole episode revolving around her and her not being recognized for a very long time, which is very interesting, interesting. Child stars, I think they get a little bit of a hard start. They really have to work really hard at the beginning of their career when they're so young. But this is not about arrogance, Miley Cyrus said. She said, "I am proud of myself." Okay. So she recently, I'll just give you the heads up on the story that I'm sharing today. She recently won an award. Was it a Loki or, I don't know, it's not my industry. Like for her singing, she won an award for flowers. And she, that was the first time that she had won an award. Can you believe it? And in this interview that I watched, it did a lot to her emotionally and it was a lot of trauma that she went through revolving around this as well. And so Miley Cyrus, guys, for those of you who don't know her, I think we all do, but she's been famous since she was like 13, I think it was, for the whole Hannah Montana character that she was playing. And then she was famous for the song that she's saying a little bit later on. I don't know the timeline, but it wasn't far. Maybe her early teens or something, I'm not quite sure. For the song called Party in the USA, I think we all know that one. It's a great song. And then, of course, later on, Wrecking Ball. Wrecking Ball. What an amazing, amazing song that was. Okay, I'm not gonna pretend I can sing here. Might be a bit of an actress, but I'm not going to be singing here today. But one of the biggest names in the whole, like she literally has one of the biggest names in her whole generation, guys. And can you believe it? It took her 20 years for her to get recognized for all of the amazing work that she's been doing. And where did she win the award? It was Flowers, my friend. Flowers. Who knows that song? I love that song because it reminds me it. And this is why I love music because it always takes you back to a moment in your life. And without getting into all of it, there was a particular, something that I had from a particular relationship that I had. And I was trying to figure out whether I should sell this item or not. And I decided to sell it and invest it in a business which was the best decision of my life. But anyways, that song came out at the same time that I was making this life choice. And so it really helped me. I can buy myself flowers. Anyways, very, very good moment. I love that song so much. I think I played it every day for a long time until I couldn't play it any longer. Who has done that before? Where you listen to a song and it like really gets you going and then you listen to it over and over again? And then now I don't think I can listen to it. Anyways. So when she won the Flowers, she actually said something in this interview that like stopped me in my tracks. I was like, oh my goodness, she said that she'd never admitted to herself how much it hurt not being recognized for all the years of work that she's done in all of her acting and all of her music and so forth. And she's a very big household name. So yeah, I just couldn't believe that she'd never been recognized in all that time. She'd spent years telling herself it didn't matter. Listen to this guys. She's telling herself a story that it didn't matter trying to downsize it. It didn't matter. And when the recognition finally came, it healed something she didn't even know was hurting. Can you believe that? That is crazy. So guys, we can all learn something from this story here and I'll get into it. So I want to ask you something before we go any further. What are you telling yourself? That doesn't matter. Is this something in your life that you're going through right now or in the past? And you're like, it's okay. It doesn't matter. If you're watching this on YouTube, put it in the comments below or if you're listening to the podcast, just write it in your journal. Is there something that's going on right now that you're telling yourself? It doesn't matter. The award you didn't apply for, the title you didn't go for, the stage that you're supposed to be speaking on. What is it? Today, we're talking about why women don't nominate themselves for awards, for titles, for stages. And why waiting to be noticed is costing you far more than you actually think. I'm Laura Jane and this is a conversation I really wanted to talk about today. I really wanted you to hear this because as I said, when I listened to her story, it really stopped me in my tracks and started me thinking about my own life. So for years, I was told, don't start, don't quit your job. Don't start a business. So what did I do? I started my own business when personal friends and family were telling me, no, no, no, don't. 16 years later, I'm still in my own business. If I had to listen to that, I would never have started into business. And my life would look a whole lot different. But for a very long time, I was building, building, building, building, building businesses, giving people jobs, income and all of that kind of stuff. And for myself, I didn't think about being recognized because I was listening to people who didn't even think I should be in business. So that's a whole other episode right there. But for me, when I won Mrs. Australia, see, I went into the pageant industry because I wanted to learn how to give back, again, be of service. And I met some people when I was in America who just blew me away, the things that they were doing and the non-for-profits that they were building. I didn't really want to learn how to build a non-for-profit. But I definitely wanted to learn how to be a leader and how to truly give back because I was generating income, I was giving, I was providing people, you know, jobs and weekend income and stuff, which I was very proud of myself for doing. But then I really wanted to learn how to give back. So I could use my voice. I could go into my community. I could become a speaker. And then I could really maybe launch a book and give back to the profits to a non-for-profit to help them. That's where I really wanted to land and to learn. So I went into Mrs. Australia. I had to apply because I was living in America at the time. And I had to apply to travel back to Australia to compete over there so that I could come back to America because I was living there at the time. And then I could compete on the international stage. And that's really what I wanted to do. I didn't care about the investment. I didn't care about the cost. I was like, just show me. I want to be all in and I wanted to do this. So I did. And along with the journey, I got so much personal growth and so much personal development from this. It was crazy insane. It was amazing because I'm the kind of person who I just wanted it all. I wanted the whole experience. I wanted to dive in and figure it out. And because I dove in and figured it out, I got lots of coaches. I got the fitness coach. I got the wardrobe coach. I got the personal development coach. I got the branding coach. So that I really bundled up my brand and my message and I delivered it to Australian judges. That's, I believe, why I won Mrs Australia in Australia because I did all the work before I even showed up. Most people who competed in a pageant for the first time will not use coaches. They'll just be looking forward to standing on a stage and looking pretty, which is all great. There's, you know, everyone has their own experience. But I really wanted to position myself as a leader by using this platform. And so I jumped in, figured it out, and I won Mrs Australia. And then I got the ability to go and compete at the finals, which I was so chuffed about. So I started getting a lot of interview in invitations to podcast, which was awesome as Mrs. Australia. I was able to share my message about there's one billion people living in poverty. And I was selling my book so that I could donate the profits to Children's International.org, because there've been around for like 85 years. And I knew that if I donated my funds to an organizing organization like this, I knew that I would be able to make a difference in the long term. So I'll continue to do that work forever. So all the funds go to Children's International.org, because they're building infrastructure with people of poverty all around the world. And I just think that that's absolutely noble. And I actually went there when I was Mrs. Australia and I got to meet the people. And it was really cool to see the organization and see the history. And there's all these photos in their head office of when it was first built in the mission and the vision and who's working here today. So it was really nice to see that. And I'll continue that relationship moving forward as I continue my speaking and bringing awareness and selling my book basically. So I learned that. And then when I got into the stage at Internationals, there was a whole nother level of being recognized for winning people's choice. So for me, standing on an international stage with 60 other amazing women who are all building their brand, some are a little bit newer in their journey, hadn't done all the coaching and stuff yet. So they're there to have fun and so forth. But then there's this professional crowd that come along in an international pageant like this. And you've got the intermediate and very advanced. And usually the advanced ones, they usually get the top 10 on that stage. And they get recognized for the work that they're doing. And I love the idea of a legacy project because the women who are building their legacy project, they're the ones who usually win at an international title like this because they're not just trying to launch and trying to overcome fears and trying to do things. They're literally fearless. They are women meant to be shaking hands with politicians, for example, these women that I met, they're basically all married to very successful businessmen. And they're moved as their shakers. So for me to be on that stage, I was so excited and overwhelmed with gratitude in that moment gratitude. And yeah, so these people became really great friends of mine and I continue to reach out every now and then and stay connected because I just love everything about what these women are doing. They're not just housewives or just living or just getting by, they're literally going, OK, I have kids, I have a husband. But I really want to make a difference in the world. And I really want to build a legacy. So what I found on that stage was there was a lot of women who won. Obviously there was one winner and then there's a runner up because the runner up will take the crown if the person who wins gets sick or whatever. And she has to step off for the 12 months of their reign sort of thing. And then you've got the top five and also the top 10 as well who get there. I won people's choice. So I got invited to the top 10 of the finals, which I was really, really excited about. And in that moment, standing on the stage, I had a little bit of a moment where I was thinking to myself, why did I do this? These people are so amazing and how did I get here? Why am I here? I'm not a size zero. I don't look like everyone else. I'm Australian, half Croatian, really, really. And I called a different of mine. It was actually my stylist. I paid him to be him. And I called him, and I got in my head. And all he had to say to me was Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe. And in that moment, I got it. I was like, oh, she was uniquely her. She wasn't like anyone else. She packaged up her whole persona. And she is still around today. She left an amazing legacy. And I was like, got it. I just have to embrace myself. And that was a huge release for me. It was the first time that I feel like I actually became an independent fearless woman. Who now can not only lead my business, but I can actually lead leaders. And I can actually become fearless so that I can be a mover and a shaker, just like all the rest of the women on that stage. So I feel like, because I leveled up, and I got onto a stage where all the other women were also equal. And to be honest with you, a lot of them had done more work than me in the legacy project area. So I was like, wow, I let go of the shackles that were on my feet, if you will, in imaginary shackles. And it was the first time in my life that I flew. I became free. So that was amazing being around those people. And winning people's choice was the moment where I realized I have an amazing network of people in Australia and in America and people around the world who've been following me, not only my business journey, but then onto the stages, Mrs. Australia. And I got a lot of people reach out to me saying, I watched you on the live stream. I'm so proud of you. Yay, for Australia and for your legacy. And so just because that happened, and I won people's choice, which said, you have the largest network of these amazing leaders on stage, here's the People's Choice Award. In that moment, I was so emotional. I could cry and laugh at one time, you know what I mean? Have you ever had that moment in your life where you're just so overwhelmed with emotions? You could literally cry and laugh all in one time. It was amazing. And I guess, for me, just like Miley Cyrus, it was the first time in all the years of me being in business, fighting the naysayers and really making a dent in the business world in Australia. Then when I moved to America, I launched my business over there as well. So I had two countries going. I got recognized, OK, it wasn't for business, but I still got recognized for having the largest network, which, again, is sort of business because they followed me for business and then they followed me to America with Mrs. Australia. So it was a very big moment in my life and I feel like I became a woman, even though I was, you know, in my late 30s at the time. I feel like I felt like I could fly. So Miley Cyrus, she said she had some trauma around her as not being recognized. I didn't have trauma, but I feel like I became independent and I could fly. Before that, I feel like I always needed a boyfriend because I didn't feel I could do this world on my own sort of thing. When I started my own business, I would always say, oh, it's because my boyfriend at the time gave me the, like, not the idea in business, but the idea that I could have my own business. So therefore, he's the strong one. And I'm just doing the business. So he's the one that's amazing. And I always used to say that in my head, which is crazy because he didn't do anything for me in business only to give me the confidence and the idea that I could have my own business. Because before that, I didn't even think I could. I was like, I'm an entertainer. Who am I to have my own business? I can't have my own business. But because of those conversations with that particular person, I overcame my fear and launched my business within six months and then by the end of the year, I had to hire people. 'Cause it was just flying. So amazingly, that was back in 2011. So yeah, being recognized can do wonders and it helped me to fly in life to be honest with you. Feel waiting to feel ready. You'll be waiting forever, my friends. Ready is what happens after you say yes. So number two, it feels like bragging. Oh, I've heard this one before. It feels like bragging. She was taught that talking about her own achievements is unattractive, but naming what you've built isn't boasting. It's just being accurate. Miley and what she said, this is not about arrogance. I'm proud of myself. So you're allowed to be proud of yourself too. Number three, she's afraid of being seen, trying and falling short. If you don't nominate yourself, you've already decided the outcome. The only guaranteed way not to win is not to even enter. So ladies and gentlemen, awards, titles and stages don't go to the most deserving woman. They go to the one who puts her hand up. Opportunities don't go to whoever is best. They go to whoever raises their hand. Your work stays invisible, ladies and gentlemen. to me. If nobody knows what you've built, it can't grow. No new clients, no partners, no bigger platform. You can't grow something nobody knows exists, right? Hiding your work is protecting it from the very people who could help it grow. Hey ladies, have you thought of this? The women who are watching you will also stay quiet too. So your daughter, your teams, your friends, they're learning from what you do, not from what you tell them. Every time you shrink, everyone is watching and learning that shrinking is what women do. Yes, this is amazing. When I want people's choice, I want everyone to get that feeling on stage, what it's like. Because after I want people's choice, I built an amazing global organization, guys, I stepped into my greatness. I did the thing that I was putting off three times before I won people's choice. I decided to do the thing that I was putting off because I won people's choice and I knew it was possible. So when you win things, it gives you energy, guys, energy to do the things that you've been putting off. Because you're realizing, oh my goodness, I am made for greatness. I am here for a real reason for a real purpose. And it's time that I step into the real purpose because when I do step into the purpose, maybe there's thousands of people waiting to hear your message, waiting for your service, waiting for your book, waiting for your speech, waiting for your workshop. But you haven't put your hand up or decided to step on the stage for an award. So how can you receive all of that energy, all of that awesomeness afterwards if you decide to constantly sit down. Okay, guys, so listen to this for a second. I want you to write down three things that you've built and never set out loud. I want you to write down three things that you've built and never acknowledged. Never like, you know, you've built a business or you've built a community or you've built, I don't know, something in the workplace. What is it that you've built that you've never said out loud? Say, I built this without softening it. I want you to say it out loud. I've built this, not quietly, but out loud, even if it's just in the room who cares. I also want you to do this because we're here to change the world, guys. We're not here to sit back and relax. We're here to change the world for a positive. So together, we can all make a difference. Let me promise you that. So today, I want you to nominate a friend. Maybe you've got a friend who's in business or just started or just launched a book or have been building businesses forever. I want you to nominate them. Go find an amazing business awards group or whatever it's connected to their skill, find an award or they want to be a speaker, nominate them to be a speaker somehow. Go nominate them. And I want you to think about this. A nomination is a statement of what you've done, not a prediction, a statement. People and people who give back to non for profits or people who want to become speakers, we are looking for all those people. So nominate yourself or someone else. And I promise you, those people that stand on our stage will feel amazing and just level up to the next level afterwards. So nominate yourself or nominate someone else. And I will say you are made for greatness. Why do I know? Because we're all born into this world as one. We're all made for greatness and we're all on this mission. And I believe you are great. Go out and leave a legacy, guys, because you're made for greatness. I'll see you in the next show. That's Laura Jane. Inspire greatness within. Thanks, guys. See you soon. Love you. So we'll elevate our soul and inspire greatness from within. I believe together we are powerful that we can all tap into abundance in a moment and sparkle from within. So let's connect over fun topics like fashion, business, mindset, spirituality and more. This is the I am Laura podcast show for sparkling inside out will empower our tomorrow.