How to Deal with Tall Poppy Syndrome…

This nation has so much to give but we have something major to break through….tall poppy.

As a nation, New Zealand has a major issue around how embedded tall poppy syndrome is in our society. 

I feel so passionately about this is because it results in so many people playing small. I see you, you with the incredible dreams and incredible visions, but you’re dimming yourself down. 

You’ve got these incredible ideas, you see people running businesses, and you want that—but you’re afraid to step through and declare that’s what you want. 

What will other people say?
What will they think?
How could I respond to that?

Putting yourself out there can be hard in a nation that doesn’t encourage people to shine too bright; I get it. 

My mother used to say don’t blow out someone else candle to make yours shine brighter. It’s a mantra that has stayed with me, and I fully recommend you take note of this. 

In my own experience of starting my own coaching business, I definitely had a fear of being too out there, posting too much. I was worried about being too much. 

That experience as a nation is really holding us back. 

So, how do we deal with tall poppy syndrome?

Meet people with compassion. It may sound counterintuitive, but when people put your ideas down, it comes from a place of their own insecurity. It is their insecurities they are projecting onto you. These are their fears about income security or starting something new. When you understand this, you get to meet them with compassion because it’s not about you, and you don’t need to take these comments on board. 

Shine bright. 

They may feel threatened by your success, but shine bright. Allow yourself to be fully authentic and share whatever you are out to create. Celebrate your wins. Help break the ‘humble’ mentality of not celebrating ANY wins and share your successes. Help others see what is possible for them by seeing what you are achieving. 

Transform your environment.

If you are around a lot of people who put you down, I would seriously consider expanding your environment and surrounding yourself with more people who lift you up. Your cheerleaders are ready and waiting to be there for your success! Make sure you are a cheerleader for others in your life. Remember to message those starting their own businesses and living out their big ideas. You have no idea how much this could mean to them.

Don’t blow out someone else candle. It won’t make yours shine brighter. It’s much better energy to be in, knowing there’s abundance for all.