At our recent BioHive event, keynote speaker Dr. Georgi Ann Rausch reminded us of something both simple and profound: showing up is often the hardest part.
Dr. Rausch is a Professor and Lecturer at the David Eccles School of Business, where she teaches leadership, communication, and organizational development. With a PhD and years of experience helping professionals navigate complex workplaces, she integrates mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and practical communication strategies into her teaching. Beyond the classroom, she’s a sought-after keynote speaker and consultant, known for empowering individuals and organizations to lead with confidence, integrity, and resilience.
Her talk at BioHive’s “Returnship Job Readiness Summit” blended humor, optimism, and actionable insights—sharing tangible ways to nurture confidence during times of transition.
Below are the lessons that resonated most deeply, paired with simple practices you can start today.
1. Celebrate Showing Up
Confidence isn’t something that happens overnight—it starts with recognizing small but meaningful wins. Dr. Rausch reminded us that just getting out of bed, getting ready, and walking into the room is an accomplishment in itself. Especially during uncertain or difficult times, showing up is a powerful act of resilience.
Too often, we dismiss these small efforts, overlooking the courage it takes to simply begin. By pausing to celebrate the act of showing up, we remind ourselves that progress is built one step at a time.
👉 Action: Start your day with a moment of acknowledgment: “Good job. You showed up.”
“You being here today is already the hardest part. Give yourself credit—you made an awesome choice.” – Dr. Georgi Rausch
2. Think in Possibilities, Not Just Problems
The human brain has a negativity bias—it’s wired to focus on threats, mistakes, and worst-case scenarios. While this instinct protects us, it can also hold us back from growth. Dr. Rausch encouraged participants to consciously practice envisioning possibilities for the future, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
She shared how in one of her classes, participants were asked to talk for just two minutes about what was possible in their future. Many struggled after only 60 seconds, finding it difficult to imagine beyond immediate concerns. This exercise revealed just how underdeveloped our “possibility muscle” can be—and how much potential there is to strengthen it.
👉 Action: Each day, set a timer for two minutes and talk (out loud) about what’s possible for you. Cover your health, your career, your relationships, or even your dreams.
“Your brain doesn’t naturally think in terms of possibility—you have to practice it, flex it, and strengthen it over time.” – Dr. Georgi Rausch
3. Embrace Transitions as Growth
Dr. Rausch compared career transitions to the most difficult part of a yoga class: chaturanga, the pose that connects one sequence to the next. Similarly, in triathlons, the transitions between swimming, biking, and running often pose greater challenges than the main events themselves.
These metaphors underscore the truth: the hardest parts of life are often the transitions. Whether you’re navigating a job loss, starting a new role, or adjusting to unexpected life change, it’s natural to feel disoriented, frustrated, or even frozen. But transitions also present opportunities—to pause, reorient, and discover new strength.
👉 Action: When transitions feel overwhelming, give yourself permission to “float.” Take a breath, step back, and allow yourself space to process. Progress doesn’t always mean constant motion—sometimes it means resting long enough to find your next direction.
“In yoga, the hardest pose isn’t the stretch—it’s the transition. The same is true in life. Transitions are tough, but they’re where real growth happens.” – Dr. Georgi Rausch
4. Confidence is a Daily Practice
Confidence is not an instant gratification activity—it’s a seed that requires time, nourishment, and repetition. Just as a plant needs sunlight and water, confidence grows when we create the right environment for it.
Dr. Rausch emphasized that building confidence is like forming a new neural pathway. It doesn’t happen in a single moment but through consistent practice over time. The more we rehearse new thoughts, language, and behaviors, the more natural they become.
👉 Action: Choose one small daily practice—such as a grounding phrase, a power posture, or a mindful breath—and commit to it for 30 days. Track your progress with a journal, voice notes, or even AI tools. Over time, these micro-shifts add up to meaningful growth that you can see for yourself.
“Confidence is not a switch you flip—it’s a seed you plant, nurture, and grow day by day.” – Dr. Georgi Rausch
5. Reframe Self-Talk
One of the most powerful shifts Dr. Rausch offered was replacing the question “What’s wrong with me?” with “What’s human about me?” This reframing acknowledges that fear, doubt, and setbacks are part of the human experience—not personal failings.
When we approach our emotions with curiosity instead of judgment, we create space for learning and resilience. This mindset shift also helps us move through anger, sadness, or uncertainty with compassion, rather than resistance.
👉 Action: Practice hosting your emotions like a guest for tea. If you’re angry, ask what that anger is trying to tell you. If you’re sad, acknowledge that it comes from caring deeply. By listening instead of suppressing, you give yourself permission to process and move forward.
“There’s nothing wrong with you. Ask instead: what’s human about me? That shift changes everything.” – Dr. Georgi Rausch
6. Take Up Your Space
For many professionals—especially women—confidence means unlearning cultural conditioning that encourages shrinking, pleasing, or apologizing. Dr. Rausch urged the audience to claim their space, voice their opinions, and center their own needs.
Confidence doesn’t mean dominating others; it means standing firmly in your presence. Small, everyday acts—like stating a preference without apology or holding your posture with intention—can gradually rewire your sense of worth and authority.
👉 Action: Try practicing small, everyday moments of confident expression: say “I’d like this for dinner” without hedging, claim the airplane armrest, or simply say “This is what I need”. These practices build muscle memory for confidence.
“If you’ve spent years propping up others, ask yourself: what would it look like to prop myself up instead?” – Dr. Georgi Rausch
The BioHive Takeaway
Dr. Georgi Rausch left us with a simple but powerful message: confidence is a practice, not a personality trait. It grows when we celebrate showing up, train ourselves to think in possibilities, embrace transitions, reframe self-talk, and take up our rightful space.
At BioHive, we believe that building this kind of confidence strengthens not only individuals but our entire community. Transitions will always be part of life and work—but with encouragement, practice, and shared growth, we can navigate them with resilience and optimism.
