Clearing the Lens: Finding Clarity in Who You Are Becoming
In this week’s Humble Leader Chronicles, I share a personal story of learning to release the limiting beliefs and outdated roles that once blurred my vision. For years, I muted my voice and shrank to fit corporate expectations, only later discovering the clarity and confidence that come from embracing my true gifts. This reflection invites you to wipe the lens clean, bring your vision into focus, and move forward with courage and intention.
Anita Booth
8/27/20252 min read
There have been seasons in my life where the lens I was looking through wasn’t clear at all. Sometimes it was smudged by the roles I thought I had to play, other times it was rose-colored, convincing me everything was fine when I was really feeling stuck.
In my corporate career, I often struggled to live authentically. In those environments, you learn quickly how to blend in. Sometimes you’re even told directly — you speak too much… you’re too loud… your hair is too big… your clothes are too bold. The message is clear: mute yourself, shrink yourself, become smaller than you are.
And for a long time, I did. I muted my voice, my creativity, my presence. I shrank, like a flower folding in on itself.
But over time, through hard-earned clarity and deeper confidence, I’ve learned to release those limiting beliefs. At our recent Spark Your Vision workshop, I was reminded again: I don’t have to be only one version of me. I am more than a title, more than a role, more than the way others choose to see me.
The lens of life can distort in many ways — blurred, smudged, or overly rosy. But when we pause to clean the glass, we begin to see ourselves with truth and intention. And often, when we’re feeling uncomfortable, stuck, or even hopeless, what brings us back into focus is reconnecting with our unique gifts and talents — the ones that make us come alive.
It doesn’t take a grand leap. Sometimes it’s just one small step toward something that excites us. One shift that transforms us quietly, before we even realize we’re changing. And with each change, we discover something new about ourselves, our work, our relationships, our family, and our spiritual lives.
That’s the gift of clarity: it gives us the courage to release what no longer serves and the intention to move toward what does.
As you step into this week, I invite you to:
Identify the smudges. Write down one outdated role, belief, or label you’re still carrying that no longer reflects who you are.
Bring your gifts into focus. List the strengths, talents, or qualities that make you feel most alive.
Choose your lens. Ask yourself: Where do I want to point my focus right now?
Take one small step. Commit to a simple, courageous action this week that moves you closer to the vision you hold for your life and leadership.
As always, with love and gratitude.
May clarity be your compass and purpose your path.
Anita
To listen to the full guided mindset activation from this week’s Humble Leader Chronicles, visit my Substack: https://substack.com/@anitabooth