The Revolution Begins With You
There’s a quiet power inside of you, a stirring, a whisper that’s been there all along. Toni Cade Bambara said, “Revolution begins with the self, in the self,” and in those words lies an ancient truth, one that echoes through every breath you take. This isn’t a suggestion. It’s a truth. It’s a call to wake up. A call to reclaim your power, to begin the transformation that starts deep within, where the world may not yet see it—but you feel it.
In business, we often focus on disruptive innovations and market breakthroughs but the revolution Toni speaks of is not external. It’s not waiting for the right market conditions or validation from others. The revolution has always been within you. It shows up in how you lead, honor your creativity, and embrace your power as a visionary. It begins when you stop silencing yourself and step fully into your truth.
But before we can change anything outside of us, we must begin inside. We must look inward, into the places we have silenced, the corners we’ve hidden away, the truths we’ve denied ourselves.
Ask yourself:
Where have I been holding back in my work?
What parts of my vision need to rise and take their rightful place?
What fear has kept me small?
This is where the revolution begins—with radical self-honesty and clarity. As I share with FLOW, Face Your Giants (F)—this is your first step. Confront the fears and limiting beliefs that have kept you from growing or scaling your business, whether it’s undervaluing your work or accepting less than you deserve. Revolution requires acknowledging where you’ve been playing small and making the decision to move beyond that.
The Power of Radical Self-Honesty in Business
There is no growth without self-honesty. Toni’s revolution was about liberation, and that liberation starts with looking at yourself, your work, your strategy with unflinching clarity. No judgment, just truth.
Where have you been playing small in your business? Have you been accepting less than what you know your ideas, your work, and your vision deserve? Have you dimmed your entrepreneurial light to fit into spaces that don't honor your genius or your worth?
These are not small questions. And the answers may not always be comfortable. But this is where your work begins.
You must be radically honest with yourself. No more running from the truth of where you’ve been underpricing, undervaluing, or underestimating your work. No more accepting the limitations that have been handed down from a system or a market that doesn’t want you to see your own brilliance, especially if you’re a Black, Brown, or queer entrepreneur who has historically been told to shrink.
Ask yourself:
What limiting beliefs about success, worth, or growth am I still carrying that no longer serve me?
What fear is stopping me from stepping fully into my power as a leader or business owner?
How much money, time, and energy have I left on the table because I’ve doubted my value?
The revolution in your business is this: giving yourself permission to shed those old narratives, to rewrite your story, to let go of business models, strategies, or deals that don’t reflect the true scope of your ambition and your power. The stories of scarcity or limitation no longer serve you. Revolution means deciding that you’re no longer bound by them.
Daily Acts of Revolution
Revolution isn’t necessarily loud or grand. It happens in the small, intentional moments when you reclaim your power and honor your vision.
In Your Work: Stop waiting for external validation. Trust your creative instincts, launch that idea, and expand your vision—even if fear is present.
In Your Relationships: Build partnerships that honor your voice. Let go of relationships that don’t align with your growth and energy.
In Your Mindset: Unlearn scarcity thinking and embrace abundance. Shift your beliefs from doubt and fear to confidence and clarity.
Each small step you take toward your true vision is a revolutionary act. It may not always be visible, but its impact will be transformative.
Revolution is Progress, Not Perfection
Revolution isn’t linear. It’s messy, with setbacks and pivots. It’s about showing up for yourself and your work, again and again. There’s no perfect moment to start your revolution—you create it. Stop waiting. Face your giants and move forward, step by step.
The Quiet Magic of Revolution
Your revolution doesn’t need to be loud or visible to anyone but you. It’s in the moments where you decide to no longer accept less than you deserve. Revolution begins when you choose to invest in your brilliance, make strategic decisions that reflect your worth, and stop playing small.
Toni Cade Bambara’s words remind us: the revolution you’ve been waiting for is already within you. It begins when you choose to act—right here, right now.
For a deeper dive into this inner work, listen to my guided meditation on The Creative Reset. Explore how small, intentional acts of revolution can fuel your business growth.