In this thought-provoking episode, we explore "The Mirror Test"—a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. Discover how looking inward can reveal hidden strengths and areas for improvement, helping you align your actions with your true values. Join us as we discuss practical steps to implement this introspective practice in your daily life, and hear from individuals who have transformed their paths through honest self-assessment. Whether you're seeking personal development or professional growth, this episode offers insights to help you face your own mirror test with confidence.

Transcript:

Welcome back to the humble throne where leadership begins not with loud answers, but quiet reflection. I'm Todd Robatin and this is episode three, the mirror test. Today we'll have a conversation about seeing ourselves clearly, compassionately, and completely. Because before we lead others, we must first face ourselves and not just the polished version, but the real one. The one that experiences ⁓ joy and success. and accolades, but also still experiences pain, loss, doubt, and discontentment. Let me ask you something. When was the last time you truly looked at yourself, not just in the mirror, but in motion, as a leader, as a parent or grandparent, a friend or colleague, a creator, or just a tenant? Not what others see, but what you ⁓ sense. Your words, your rhythms, your habits, your presence. You see, the mirror test isn't about appearance. It's not about vanity or ego. We can all put on a fake facade and act the part from time to time when the cameras are rolling. But a mirror test is about alignment. Do your actions match your values? Do your relationships reflect your integrity? Do your decisions echo your deeper truths? And here's the hardest part. Are you leading with your truest self from your truest self or just from your polished performance? Cause it's easy to build a name for yourself or to brand who you want to be around certain people in certain circles. But it's harder to build a life that feels like yours. One that doesn't feel like work 24 seven. but a life that is filled with worth, purpose, and meaning. Now years ago, I worked with a leader who did this test every single week. No fancy tool, just a journal, a mirror, and a question. He'd ask, did I show up with courage, kindness, and clarity this week? Sometimes he said, yeah, I did. And other times he'd circle one word and vow to try again. But... He kept coming back because he knew that growth doesn't happen in perfection or overnight. It happens in the return, in the constant pursuit of making yourself better than the day, the hour, or even the moment before. You see, self-awareness is not self-critique. It's compassion with curiosity. It's not about tearing yourself down and ripping apart your thoughts. your failures and successes. It's about asking, is this who I want to be? In my career, in my community, in my family, or even in my own brain. And if the answer is no, you don't punish yourself. You pivot, you realign, you recommit, you plan. We don't look in the mirror to shame ourselves. We look to remind ourselves, hey, I'm still in it. I'm still growing and I'm still choosing who I want to be every day. Because the mirror doesn't judge, it reflects. Now you see, I've done this test myself from time to time, and I'll be honest, some days I don't love what I see. I see impatience. I see distraction. I see moments where I choose comfort and convenience over courage and resilience. But I also see effort, growth. and someone who's still showing up. And that's what matters. And with that in mind, here are today's humble truths. Number one, the clearest leaders are often the quietest observers. They don't just react, they reflect. Number two, a mirror can offer clarity, but only if we're willing to see. Because avoidance is easy, but awareness is brave. And number three, self-awareness isn't a destination. It's a constant...