I recently listened to a podcast featuring the award-winning director Brenda Chapman. In her career, she rose through the ranks at Disney and went on to work at Pixar. Her many roles included head of story for The Lion King, the first female director of an animated feature for a major Hollywood studio with The Prince of Egypt, director and creator of Brave, and many more. 

In the podcast, she mentioned that in all the stories that she has created, every character had a flaw that they either needed to embrace or overcome. This statement was so powerful to me that I immediately had to write it down. It was a different perspective than I had previously heard. What if you looked at yourself as a character in a story? We are, after all, just characters in our own reality show, aren’t we? What is your flaw? Are you embracing it or overcoming it? 

We often have a list a mile long of things we see as flaws. Our hair isn’t long/short enough. Our skin isn’t glowing. We are too tall/short/fat/skinny. Those are all physical attributes some of which you can change, but many you cannot. What about what's inside you? Are you too shy/outspoken? Are you too smart? Not smart enough? Impatient? Flakey? That list might be lengthy too and may be hard to change.

Brenda talked about the characters and their various struggles and how those struggles made them stronger. Whether it was gaining independence or finding inner strength to persevere through adversity. For some, it was accepting their place in "The circle of life". If we can focus in on our “flaw” that makes us unique, then we can embrace it or overcome it. Think about your favorite childhood movie, which character did you like the most and what was his/her flaw? Your flaw could be similar. We often identify with characters that are most like us. Mine was Rafiki in the Lion King. I love to teach, guide and help others, sometimes in unconventional ways! Are you struggling to think of the flaw that makes you who you are? Try sitting quietly, turn on some soft music, close your eyes and ask yourself, “Who am I? What makes me unique?”. Be patient the answer will come.

Once you have discovered your flaw, decide whether you should embrace it or overcome it. Then make a plan and get moving. Your plan should include things that make you uncomfortable and things that evoke an emotional response when you consider them. The flaw that makes you unique is the key to raising your awareness and truly becoming the best version of yourself. I’m excited to hear about your journey of embracing or overcoming your personal flaw and the positive it will bring to your life! Find out how a personal coach can help you.