The self-empowerment approach for the development of potential greatly uses the instrument of experimentation: every new inner characteristic (approach, modality, attitude or possibility) we want to acquire, becomes actually viable only when, at least once, we succeed in realizing it or in profitably taking a step in that direction.

The self-empowerment approach for the development of potential greatly uses the instrument of experimentation: every new inner characteristic (approach, modality, attitude or possibility) we want to acquire, becomes actually viable only when, at least once, we succeed in realizing it or in profitably taking a step in that direction.

On the contrary, we often feel stuck in a checkmate between the desire to change and that of staying safe within our harbor, worried about losing what we have or inhibited by the fear of failing.

Experimenting means finding reversible, and yet real, ways of trying out what interests us, starting to develop such a possibility in a concrete and viable way, above all within ourselves.

A personal example: I’ve always wanted to be more extroverted and jaunty but, actually, my character is a bit different, I am more inclined to introversion and shyness.

So I had to work really hard to be calm and gain mastery, and even pleasure, during social exposure (for example when I speak in public…), My job requires it and I did it right from the start but with enormous stress and effort.

However, over the years I learnt first to say “yes” and then to actively look for all those experiences that would have allowed me to train myself, explore my reactions and feeling capable of standing on different – and sometimes unusual – stages.

Among these experiences (that, seen all together, will make readers smile) I count:

  • Having dressed the part of Santa at a business bank’s company party in Lugano (I distinctly remember hordes of children…)
  • Having played (strictly in playback) a wacky-religious song at an Evangelic music festival in a crowded PalaLido (I distinctly remember hordes of worshippers and an already octogenarian Vanoni presenting the show!)
  • Having taken part in a live TV program and deal with the classical mid-afternoon talk-show dynamics as best I could…

All these situations, although unconnected with each other and completely out of context, have become opportunities to challenge myself. Each time I remember having thought “What was I thinking?” at first, but then, after everything was over, I used to say to myself: “See? If you make an effort you can do it!”

Each of these situation is connected to a person, whom I considered to be an expert, who accompanied me: a sponsor and, above all, an “external resource” that is most precious when one tries to get out of his/her comfort zone. I would like to cite and thank them here: William (my partner in Torreluna), Andrea (lacanzoneria.com) and Francesca (francescadimartino.com).

Among the various experimentation that are part of this (still underway) work on myself, I also decided to challenge myself to produce and share some YouTube videos, something I would have deemed impossible just a few moths ago. This is the great thing about it! One moment you think something is impossible and the next you’ve just made it!