Let your hopes lead you forward, while leaving your fears behind.

While writing this, the words “hopes” and “fears” struck a chord with me, reflecting on my journey as a blogger over the past several years. Each blog post I share carries a piece of my story and the fear that accompanies it. In the beginning, I would scrutinize my blogs for days before pressing “publish.”

A friend once advised me, “Lauren, don’t perseverate over your blogs. They don’t have to be perfect. That’s not why you write them.” He was right. John Maxwell’s words in High Road Leadership resonate here: “No one is right all the time.” Your stories are not meant to be perfect; they are meant to have twists, turns, and obstacles. You are shaped by your celebrations, challenges, and mistakes. 

You live inside a collection of stories. Each story holds your hopes, fears, and every feeling in between. Together, they create a mosaic of who you are and who you are destined to be. You can be the narrator of your story and create what you want to be.

Blogging has made me a better learner, thinker, writer, listener, and reader. I consume more books and podcasts, seeking ideas that challenge my thinking and help me grow as a human, educator, and leader. 

Creating your stories and telling them allows you to communicate your experiences, helping you make sense of your learning and life. Embracing the possibilities in your stories can open doors to hope and deeper connections with others and yourself. Through storytelling, research, and reflection, you have the chance to make an unseen impact.

I’ve learned that not everyone will resonate with your stories, and that’s okay. Stories are personal and affect each person differently. 

Entrepreneur and professor Ed Zschau said on Tim Ferriss’s podcast, “Opportunities unexpectedly happen. It only matters in life if you seize the moment. If you take advantage of that opportunity.”

Recording an episode of the Innovator’s Mindset podcast with George Couros recently, I realized I was having a full-circle moment. George once told me I should blog. Then, he told me I had a book inside me, but I doubted myself. Now, I was back on his podcast discussing my newly published book. “I can’t believe I’m here, talking about this book I wrote,” I said. George replied, “Lauren, you’ve been writing this book for a long time.”

My fears told me I couldn’t. My hope told me I should, and I did. Today, I push “publish” on this post with more hope than fear. 

I am excited to share with you,  “The Leader Inside: Stories of Mentorship to Inspire the Leader Within,” filled with a collection of inspiring stories of the path to leadership, the power of mentorship, and actionable ideas for leaders and educators alike.

I am thrilled to amplify the voices of the well-accomplished contributors:  Lainie Rowell, Stephanie Rothstein, Natasha Nurse, Meghan Lawson, and my 4th-grade teacher and mentor, Mrs. Linda Roth. These leaders have been an inspiring force on my journey, and now they can share their wisdom with you too.

This book embodies the collective wisdom, support, and love from everyone who has recognized my gifts. Thank you all for being the driving force behind the leader inside me. I hope this book serves as a mentor, guiding the greater educational community toward pathways of hope and promise. May it help you discover the leader within yourself.

Be the narrator of your story. Create what you want to be.

Let your hopes lead you forward, while leaving your fears behind.

With gratitude to George Couros, Paige Couros, and Dave Burgess for this incredible opportunity. #IMpress

You can find The Leader Inside: Stories of Mentorship to Inspire the Leader Within HERE.