Hey friend, hi,
I have to do it!!! So here goes.
I’m calling BS on something, and you might not like it.
But somebody needs to say it.
Every day I hear incredibly capable women saying:
- “My husband never helps with anything”
- “My team doesn’t respect me”
- “My kids don’t appreciate what I do”
- “My boss doesn’t see my value”
- “Nobody listens to me”
And then they wait. And wait. And wait some more.
For him to step up. For them to change. For someone to finally see how hard they’re working.
Here’s what I know after 50+ years on this planet:
Nobody is coming to save you.
Nobody is coming to validate you.
Nobody is coming to make you feel important.
That’s YOUR job.
The Hard Truth That Changed Everything
I used to be that woman. Waiting for my ex-husband to appreciate me. Waiting for my kids to reach out or even say thank you.
I was exhausted from trying to control every situation and manage everyone else’s behavior while completely ignoring the one person I actually had power over: me.
The day I stopped waiting was the day my life changed.
Not because everyone around me suddenly became different. But because I stopped needing them to be.
You Already Know What to Do
Deep down, you know exactly what needs to happen:
- That conversation you’ve been avoiding? Have it.
- That boundary you need to set? Set it.
- That standard you need to raise? Raise it.
- That person you need to stop trying to fix? Stop.
The question isn’t what to do. The question is: Are you going to do it?
The BIKE Concept:
How to Lead From Where You Are
B – BE You (No Apologies)
Stop shrinking yourself to make others comfortable.
Your energy, your personality, your standards – they’re not too much.
Show up as exactly who you are.
Action step: This week, say one thing you’ve been holding back in a meeting, family dinner, or conversation.
I – Get INSIGHT Through Curiosity
Instead of assuming everyone’s out to get you, get curious about what’s really happening.
Ask questions. Listen for understanding, not ammunition.
Action step: The next time you’re frustrated with someone, ask them, “Help me understand your perspective” – then actually listen.
K – Choose KINDNESS as Power
Kindness isn’t weakness – it’s the strongest thing you can do. When you lead with kindness, you control the energy of every room you enter.
Action step: Do something unexpectedly kind for someone who’s been difficult lately. Watch what happens.
E – CREATE Engagement & Connection
Stop waiting for others to reach out, include you, or make you feel valued. Be the one who creates the connection you want to see.
Action step: Send someone a text that isn’t about logistics. Ask how they’re really doing. Mean it.
This Is Your Moment
Right now, you have a choice.
You can keep waiting for everyone else to change so you can finally feel valued, heard, and important.
Or you can decide that your confidence, your impact, your sense of belonging – that’s all on you.
Here’s what happens when you own your energy:
- People start responding to you differently
- Your relationships improve (even the difficult ones)
- You stop feeling exhausted by other people’s behavior
- You actually enjoy your life instead of managing it
Your 24-Hour Challenge
Pick ONE relationship or situation where you’ve been waiting for someone else to change.
Ask yourself: “What’s one way I can show up differently here?”
Then do that thing. Today.
Not because they deserve it. Because you’re choosing to lead from exactly where you are.
Join the Movement
This isn’t just about you changing your approach.
This is about changing how we show up in the world.
Imagine if everyone stopped waiting for permission and started owning their energy.
Stopped trying to control everyone else and started leading yourself.
We’d be unstoppable.
Are you in?
XOXO, Tonya
P.S. Which part of this hit you right in the gut?
I want to know – hit reply and tell me. Because when we start telling the truth about what’s really going on, everything changes.
Ready to Stop Waiting?
→ Own your energy starting now. Let’s create your plan to lead from exactly where you are. Email me: hello@tonyakay.co
→ Transform how you show up. Because the world needs your leadership – no permission required. Book a “Lead From Where You Are” breakthrough session.
