Hearing someone’s story that connects with your truth can be emotionally and physically powerful. I always feel privileged to witness speakers who share their story, vulnerability, courage and success.
If you hear a voice in your head saying “I don’t have a story” or “No one wants to listen to my story” ignore it and keep reading.
The reality is everyone has a story to tell. And it’s more than just a story it’s what I call your truth story.
The key is finding the truth in your story that has a strong connection to you and will connect with those you choose to share it with. This week I had the pleasure of speaking at the Women In Business conference for Chartered Accountants Australia/NZ. The diverse range of personal stories from a group of seriously cool women and men like Lisa Tamati, Kirsten Patterson (KP), Caren Rangi, Allison Mooney, Miranda Waple, Alexia Hilbertidou, Chloe Swarbrick, Kendall Flutey, Vaughn Davis, Adithi Pandit is a recipe for success.
So how do you find your truth story?
Supporting others to find the truth in their story is part of my role as an executive coach. 99% of the time when a client engages in coaching through group or one-to-one executive coaching they come with areas in their life, career or business that needs exploration in a non-judgmental, high trust, safe and confidential environment.
Typical stories include…
“I’m not progressing in my career…”
“I’m stuck in a rut…I don’t know how to get out”
“I haven’t got the balance I need between career and family…”
“I’m at a crossroads and don’t know what to do next…”
“I haven’t been able to define my purpose or values or vision…”
“I’m not being challenged enough in my role…”
“I’m lacking confidence after returning to work…”
“I need to prepare for a big career/life change and I need support to keep me accountable…”
What do you notice about these statements? (all bar one).
That’s right! They are all mostly expressed in the negative using words like don’t, lacking, haven’t…AND they are also focused on what’s happening externally of the person.
As you become more conscious of your story you will start to notice these story patterns not only in yourself but in others. We are experts at focusing on what we don’t have versus acknowledging what we do have.
One of the most powerful coaching exercises I had as a client was 2008 in London as I worked through the daunting process of launching my first business. After sharing a poor me story my coach simply asked “So those are all the things you don’t have, what about all the things you do have?”
This question stopped me in my tracks. I paused and remained silent for what felt like 10 mins. Of course it was only seconds. This simple act of asking a question which reflected back my situation supported me to re-evaluate, reframe and refresh how I saw the truth in my story.
The story I had been telling myself actually wasn’t the truth. A good coach will be able to separate the truth from the story. The outcome is your truth story!
Shifting mindset by focusing on the elements in your life, career or business that support others to see their higher truth can be extremely powerful. Setting actions, goals and intentions focused on your higher truth versus the story can be life changing!
Everyday I feel humbled and honored to share my story and to hear the stories from many cultures, social circles, corporations and continents. Imagine there is someone out there that needs to hear your story at that moment in their life.
I invite you to engage in a coaching conversation with someone you trust, who is trained and will hold a sacred and safe place for you to discover your truth story. Take your time, be open to explore those areas of your life, career or business that you resist most. As the saying goes. What you resist persists.
And when you do find it choose a platform or multiple platforms to share it through your book, blogging, interviewing, journaling, speaking, singing or performing. We do ourselves and the world a disservice by not sharing our truth story!
Rise2025 coaches start with 200+ hours of coach training to reach the first level of their internationally recognised credential through International Coach Federation (ICF). The best coaches in my experience are the coaches who have their own coaches and continue to be in the practice of developing coaching mastery from multiple resources, continued education and challenging their coaching concepts through a learning mindset.
Want to know more about becoming a Rise2025 coach or receiving coaching? Drop us an email info@rise2025.com or simply SHARE, follow, tweet and post to someone who needs to hear this story today.
Rise2025 open course programme in Auckland starts again on 17 July. Secure one of the last few spaces. Find out more HERE
Join our Rise2025 Facebook page for our upcoming webinar on the 28 June at 7pm NZ timezone.
Rise2025 is open to Māori, Pacific Island, Asian and women who identify as indigenous of their native land. Our intention is to positively impact the leadership and coaching capability of 100,000 indigenous women by 2025 to an international standard. Maintaining the indigenous and values-based coaching model through Māori values is the foundation of this unique learning experience.
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