As humans, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and feel like we lack the confidence to take on new challenges, especially when it comes to changing careers, starting a business, or pursuing a new project. But what if I told you there was a simple exercise you could do to help boost your confidence and see the resources you already have at your disposal?
Let me introduce you to the Quetzal, a beautiful bird native to Central America, known for its stunning and colourful tail feathers. In Aztec culture, the bird symbolised wealth, prestige and power. The feathers were highly prized and used as currency.
Now, let’s imagine that the career, or a project, or a business idea you want to pursue is a Quetzal, and your resources are represented by the tail feathers. These feathers will represent the resources you already have at your disposal, whether it’s skills, knowledge, experience or relationships.
Download the below illustration with a Quetzal without a tail , draw your own feathers and name them by each resource you have and can use to help this Quetzal fly and navigate.
Take a moment to reflect on the feathers you’ve got – what shape are they? What colours do they have? How long are they?
But we all know that no bird can fly with just one feather – even a Quetzal needs a whole tail of feathers to navigate the skies with confidence. So take a moment to think about what other resources you might need to pursue your dreams. Perhaps you need to develop new skills, build new relationships, or learn more about your industry.
As you reflect on your own resources and what you might need to add to your tail, think about other Quetzals you might like to pursue – other career paths or projects that excite you. What do their tails look like?
By visualizing your resources as Quetzal’s tail feathers, you can gain a new perspective on your own strengths, and identify the new resources you need to succeed.
So spread your wings, take flight, and pursue your dreams with confidence and grace, just like the Quetzal.
