Podcast Summary: Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
Episode: Confidence Classic: Redefine Success and Create Limitless Possibility with Laura Gassner Otting
Release Date: July 30, 2025
Guest: Laura Gassner Otting
Host: Heather Monahan
Introduction
In this inspiring episode of Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan, Heather welcomes Laura Gassner Otting, a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur. The conversation delves deep into redefining success, building limitless possibilities, and fostering authentic confidence. Laura shares personal stories, insights from her book "Limitless," and actionable strategies for listeners to elevate their lives and careers.
Overcoming Adversity and Miscommunication
Heather begins by recounting a personal crisis involving a miscommunication with her podcast's sponsor, Podcast One. Initially fearing her show might not continue, Heather describes her immediate, solution-focused response:
- Quote:
"Solution. So in that moment, instead of saying, hey, let me take a step back here and gain some more information and communicate with the appropriate parties, I immediately jumped into 2020 and where can my show be?"
[02:12] - Heather Monahan
Thankfully, it was a misunderstanding, and the situation evolved into a positive opportunity. This experience underscores the importance of clarity and proactive communication during challenging times.
The Power of Investing in Your Passion
Laura challenges the conventional advice of "following your passion," advocating instead for "investing in your passion." She emphasizes embracing endeavors where failure is probable but growth and learning are guaranteed:
- Quote:
"Don't follow your passion. Do the thing where you would fail for sure, but still want to do it... Because if you don't just follow your passion but you invest in it, you're going to be much more successful."
[01:00] - Laura Gassner Otting
Laura highlights that true success stems from perseverance through failures, much like notable figures such as Jesse Itzler and Sarah Blakely have demonstrated.
Defining Consonance: Calling, Connection, Contribution, Control
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Laura's concept of "consonance," which comprises four pillars essential for achieving harmony between personal and professional life:
- Calling: The gravitational force that drives you, whether it's a business goal, a personal mission, or a cause.
- Connection: The sense that your work matters and impacts others.
- Contribution: How your work adds value to your community or aligns with your personal goals.
- Control: The degree of influence you have over your work and its alignment with your goals.
- Quote:
"Consonance is made up of four things: calling, connection, contribution, and control. For you, you have this calling... you are clearly connected to that work... it's contributing to the life that you want... and you have control."
[38:16] - Laura Gassner Otting
Laura explains how assessing these components can help individuals align their careers with their personal fulfillment, leading to both success and happiness.
Authenticity Over Perfection
Laura and Heather discuss the importance of authenticity in personal and professional growth. Laura shares her journey from emulating other speakers to embracing her unique voice, which has significantly enhanced her effectiveness and connection with audiences:
- Quote:
"I worked very hard to try to just show up fully as me. Not worrying about the judgment of the audience... and now, when I'm on stage, I am cracking jokes and telling stories because I am so locked into the people that are right there emotional with me."
[75:25] - Laura Gassner Otting
Heather echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the power of being transparent and embracing imperfections to foster deeper connections.
Challenging Negative Influences
The conversation touches on the detrimental impact of negative voices and unsupportive individuals in one's life. Laura encourages listeners to surround themselves with "framily"—a blend of friends and family who support and uplift rather than drain and discourage.
- Quote:
"There are people in our lives who we love... who are super well-meaning, but they shouldn't have a hold over our decisions if they're not supportive."
[23:55] - Laura Gassner Otting
She advises distancing from those who persistently undermine personal growth and instead seek out relationships that foster confidence and ambition.
Strategies for Personal Growth and Confidence
Laura provides actionable advice for listeners seeking to enhance their confidence and align their lives with their true calling:
- Self-Assessment: Utilize tools like her "consonance" quiz to evaluate personal alignment with calling, connection, contribution, and control.
- Community Engagement: Build a supportive network that encourages growth and resilience.
- Embrace Failure: View failures as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.
- Quote:
"Confidence comes from competence. Every time you show yourself that you can do something, you develop competence, and out of competence comes this confidence to dream bigger dreams."
[30:40] - Laura Gassner Otting
Heather underscores the importance of shifting focus from fear of failure to actively pursuing success, a theme that resonates throughout the episode.
Conclusion and Takeaways
The episode concludes with heartfelt reflections on gratitude, the importance of supportive relationships, and the necessity of perseverance in the face of adversity. Both Heather and Laura emphasize that confidence is not about external validation but about internal alignment and authenticity.
- Final Quote:
"You don't stop and look around once in a while. You could miss it."
[94:17] - Laura Gassner Otting
Where to Find Laura Gassner Otting
Listeners are encouraged to explore Laura's work and resources:
- Book: "Limitless" available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
- Website: limitlessassessment.com for a detailed consonance quiz.
- Social Media: Follow Laura on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter as @hey_lgo.
Key Insights:
- Invest in Your Passion: Success comes from dedication and resilience, not just following fleeting interests.
- Consonance Framework: Aligning calling, connection, contribution, and control leads to true fulfillment.
- Authenticity Matters: Embracing one's true self fosters deeper connections and sustained confidence.
- Positive Relationships: Surrounding oneself with supportive individuals is crucial for personal and professional growth.
- Action Over Fear: Taking bold steps despite fear is essential for achieving limitless potential.
This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to rebuild their confidence, redefine success on their own terms, and create limitless possibilities in their lives. Laura Gassner Otting's experiences and insights offer valuable lessons on navigating challenges, fostering authentic relationships, and continuously striving for personal growth.