10 Powerful Truths to Start Believing About Yourself | Dr. Sharla's Tuesday Ten
- Dr. Sharla Horton
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Confident. Assured. Powerful. Brilliant. Commanding. These are all words that others have used to describe me at one time or another. Oddly, none of these are words that I have always believed about myself. No matter how many stages I’ve stepped on, microphones I’ve held, leaders I’ve coached, or high-stakes rooms I’ve led—I’ve still found myself wondering how I got there…and whether I actually belonged. At some point, I realized those thoughts weren’t humility. They were limiting beliefs. And a couple of years ago, I decided that they had to end because I realized that I could only go as far in my life as my mindset would take me. Let me start this week's list with a huge shout-out to my mindset coach, Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson. If you’re not following her, you should. She is the affirmation and mindset master, and some of the shifts I’m sharing below come directly from our work together.
This Tuesday Ten is for the high performer who is ready to move from self-doubt to believing big about themselves.
Your imperfections are your superpower. Everything that makes you uniquely you – quirks, differences, and struggles – are your superpower. They are what make you real, and your authenticity and vulnerability are what make you such an inspiration to others.
You are not defined by your mistakes nor your circumstances. Yes, you have made a million mistakes, and yes, you have endured some really difficult circumstances. Your past did not define you – it prepared you. Every experience played a role in shaping the woman that you are today.
What you carry is big – really big. The promise and purpose inside of you is hard for others to conceive; therefore, it’s hard for them to understand who you are, what you do, and why you do it. Because of this, people will try to reduce you or shrink you. Don’t fall for it. You’re too big to be small.
You are not “too much.” You fit perfectly in the spaces where you’ve been assigned for impact.
Your voice is not a problem. No, you do not talk too much. You are not an “over-sharer.” In fact, you need to talk even more! It does not matter what your 5th-grade teacher wrote on your report card! (Look at me now, Sister Bertha!) When you share your experiences and perspectives, you unlock something in people. Your message shifts rooms. Your words shift lives. Your voice is not a problem; it is a gift.
You don’t have to. You spent a lifetime meeting other people’s expectations and following other people’s rules for your life. You don’t have to do that! You get to choose the life you live every single day.
You are worthy of an abundant life marked by love, peace, and most of all – joy. You deserve to experience fullness in every way. While others are consumed with negativity, you are called to joy. Pursue it. Embrace it. Model it. Share it.
You do not have to carry everything (anything) alone. Stop and think about your circle of care. Who holds you and carries you? Who shows up for you? Who cares for you? Remember them when things feel hard and heavy. As a believer, I remind myself that I am under the care of a loving and faithful God. I am under an open heaven. I am under a banner of protection. Trust His care and covering. If you are not a believer, s
The labels you used to carry were wrong. “Too loud,” “too much,” “too this,” “too that.” Those labels quietly shaped how you saw yourself and what you believed about yourself. They were wrong, and so were the people who assigned them to you.
What you’ve seen is just the beginning. You may have seen a lot of incredible transformation in your life already. But, hear me: there’s MORE. There is so much more to be done in and through you, and for you. If you thought round one of your personal or professional transformation was good, wait until you see what’s next!
Here’s a big truth I had to learn: We don’t show up as who we could be. We show up as who we believe we are. So, if you see yourself as small, unworthy, unprepared, or not enough, that’s exactly how you will show up. But if instead you begin to see yourself as capable, called, and carrying something significant that the world needs, you will start to move differently. You’ll think differently. Speak differently. Lead differently. Live differently. Small beliefs = small living. And I don’t know about you, but small isn’t enough for me anymore.
What limiting beliefs have you had about yourself?
Where are you thinking too small about yourself?
What is one truth you’re choosing to believe about yourself now?
If this list resonated with you, I’d love to continue the conversation – whether through connection, collaboration, or sharing this message with your team or organization.
Remember, whatever you do, do it well.
- Sharla
This week's bundle includes the full list, a printable mini-poster, and a weekly reflection and action guide for your personal and professional use.
About Me | My name is Sharla Horton, and I am a speaker, strategist, and leadership expert. I help people work well, lead well, and live well. My work centers on one central conviction: when people expand their sense of possibility and lead with purpose, courage, and joy, meaningful and lasting transformation becomes not only achievable, but inevitable.
Through inspiring keynote addresses, thoughtful team retreats, and engaging professional learning experiences, I guide leaders, teams, and organizations across sectors and industries to reclaim their joy and take bold, transformative action in their personal and professional lives. With a career spanning education, nonprofit leadership, organizational strategy, and culture change, I bring deep expertise and strategic clarity to my work and blend it with emotional intelligence, humor, transparency, and an undeniable and contagious energy to create empowering and impactful experiences that audiences remember long after the moment ends.
If this week’s Tuesday Ten resonates, I’d love for you to share it with your team, organization, or community. Let’s connect!
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