A few weeks ago, I sat in front of a camera, recording a short video as part of my “Women of Impact” global recognition award at my workplace. Each of the 16 winners – selected from nearly 900 nominations – was asked to create a two-minute video about our journey, our contributions, and what this award meant to us.
And somewhere in that video, we were required to say the words:
“I am a Woman of Impact.”
It sounds simple! But as I sat there, trying to say those words with confidence, I felt awkward and very uncomfortable. I took me many, many takes to get a video where I said it like I meant it.
Why was this so hard to say?
The Weight of Those Words
For years, I have been deeply involved in mental health advocacy – leading initiatives, building communities, supporting colleagues, and pushing for real cultural change in the workplace. And yet, when the moment came to claim my impact, to say it out loud, I hesitated.
I know I’m not alone in this. So many of us – especially women – find it difficult to own our achievements. We deflect praise, downplay our contributions, and hesitate to take up space. There’s always that lingering voice in the back of our minds saying, “Who am I to call myself that?”
But the truth is: we do make an impact. And we deserve to acknowledge it.
What This Award Means to Me
Receiving this award for my work in mental health advocacy is deeply meaningful, especially because I was on a two-month break when I found out. I had stepped away from work because I was burnt out – exhausted from giving so much of myself to a system that, at times, felt resistant to change. It was humbling to realise that while I had been advocating for mental health, I had been neglecting my own.
So when I received the Women of Impact award, I felt a mix of emotions. Pride, gratitude, but also discomfort. How could I be receiving recognition for mental health advocacy when I had needed to step back for my own well-being?
And yet, that’s exactly why this award matters. Because advocating for change doesn’t mean having it all figured out. It means showing up, doing the work, and sometimes, learning the hard way that we need to practice what we preach.
Moving Forward
Saying “I am a Woman of Impact” wasn’t just about fulfilling a requirement for a video. It was about owning the work I’ve done, the change I’ve driven, and the impact I’ve had on others – even when I didn’t feel like I had it all together.
And it’s a reminder that we should all be able to say these words – not just when we win an award, but in our everyday lives.
Now It’s Your Turn
I want to invite you to try something.
Take a moment to sit down and write a list of the things you’ve achieved – big or small. The things you’ve done that have helped others, made a difference, or shaped the world around you in some way.
Now, take a deep breath. Read that list. Let it sink in.
And then say it – out loud, with confidence:
“I am a Woman of Impact.”
See how it feels.
Think about the times you’ve downplayed your own impact. The moments when you brushed off a compliment, attributed your success to luck, or told yourself that what you did wasn’t that special. But it was. It mattered. You matter.
Your impact isn’t just about today. It’s about the people you lift up, the ones who see you and think, “If she can do it, maybe I can too.” You never truly know how far the ripples of your actions go. But they go far.
And if you’re a man, or of any gender, you can do this too. Your impact matters. Your contributions are real. And you deserve to claim them.
Because the more we own our achievements, the more we inspire others to do the same.
So go ahead.
Say it. Believe it.
You are making an impact. And the world is better because of it.
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