Hi Readers, welcome back to Week Nine, Entry Nine of Be Brazen w/ Tae.
My word for this year is intentional. Every step I take, personally and professionally, is guided by strategy and purpose. I’m focused on going, growing, and glowing with clarity and intention.
Last week, we slowed down and looked inward.
We reflected. We noticed patterns. We practiced compassion instead of criticism.
But reflection is only the beginning.
Awareness without action keeps us stuck in the same place, just more conscious of it.
This week is about taking what you learned about yourself and doing something with it.
Not perfectly.
Not dramatically.
Just intentionally.
Because growth doesn’t happen when we only think about change.
It happens when we choose it.
Reflection Is Insight. Action Is Transformation.
Self-awareness shows you what needs attention.
Action is what actually shifts your life.
You might have realized:
- you overextend yourself
- you avoid hard conversations
- you’ve outgrown certain habits or environments
- or maybe you noticed strengths you’ve been underestimating
Those realizations are powerful. But if nothing changes, nothing changes.
Being brazen means honoring what you discovered enough to move differently.
Even if it’s uncomfortable.
Even if it’s small.
Choosing Intention in My Own Life
This idea of intentional action isn’t just something I’m writing about. It’s something I’ve had to live.
My first messy start in starting this business was exhausting all my personal funds to get my business off the ground. Then I applied for grants and business counselings. However, I knew that I needed to take a bold move to really get my business started.
Of course, I did things to help my confidence in not having a solid plan with a solid outcome, because that’s the type of person I am. I like guarantees and predictable outcomes. Stepping into entrepreneurship meant stepping into uncertainty, and that stretched me in ways I wasn’t used to.
I had to increase my faith.
I started going to church more, being a part of virtual church groups, praying more often, and studying the Bible more intentionally. I leaned into every spiritual tool I had because I knew I couldn’t do it alone.
I also got three business mentors from free programs, WBDC, BBA, and SCORE Mentoring. I talked with trusted people in my life, my own life coach, my therapist, and my mother. I surrounded myself with guidance and support so I wouldn’t quit on myself when things felt overwhelming.
Through it all, I stayed consistent and did not give up.
On a personal level, I poured into my physical health and appearance too. I made sure I showed up holistically, mind, body, and spirit, because building a business isn’t just professional work. It’s personal growth.
Looking back, none of it was perfect or predictable. It was messy, uncomfortable, and sometimes scary.
But it was intentional.
And that made all the difference.
Start Small. Start Brave.
Sometimes we think change has to be huge to matter.
It doesn’t.
Tiny, consistent choices build the life you want.
Action can look like:
- saying “no” when you normally say “yes”
- setting a boundary without overexplaining
- applying for the opportunity you’ve been doubting yourself out of
- resting when you feel guilty for slowing down
- speaking kindly to yourself when you make a mistake
These may seem small, but they’re bold acts of self-trust.
And self-trust is everything.
Journal Prompts for Intentional Action
Grab your journal and reflect on these:
- What is one insight from last week’s reflection that calls for action now?
- What small step can you take this week to honor that insight?
- Where in your life are you waiting for “perfect timing” instead of starting messy?
- What would acting boldly look like for you today?
- How can you support yourself through change with patience and grace?
Remember, progress is built one brave decision at a time.
Releasing Perfection
Here’s the truth. Growth is rarely pretty.
You’ll stumble.
You’ll second-guess yourself.
You might even fall back into old habits sometimes.
That doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re human.
Being brazen isn’t about never messing up. It’s about continuing anyway.
Give yourself permission to be a beginner. Give yourself permission to learn as you go.
Done is better than perfect.
Aligned is better than impressive.
Final Thoughts
Reflection helps you understand who you are.
Action helps you become who you’re meant to be.
So take the step. Send the message. Set the boundary. Start the thing.
Move with intention.
Grow with intention.
Glow with intention.
If my journey has taught me anything, it’s this. You don’t need perfect conditions to begin. You just need courage and consistency.
Trust that each small, intentional move is shaping a braver, stronger, more aligned version of you.
Keep reflecting. Keep moving. Keep being brazen.
I’d love to hear what action you’re choosing this week. Share in the comments.
Be Brazen w/ Tae.
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