Whew – August was quite a month! Actually it was quite a summer – Big Retreats and lots of Leading. I found a week ago when I got home that I really needed to kick back, put it all down and just veg for a bit. While it’s nice to be in demand, I so appreciate the balance of stillness and letting go of so many agendas.
Over the years I’ve been complimented on my marketing and design skills – how I continue to find new and creative ways to reach out. Well, I’m here to say that that wouldn’t be possible without taking periods of time to just stare out the window or take a beauty walk or sometimes – a nap! Wearing the many hats of an entrepreneur calls for so much focus – at times it’s necessary to shut it all down and open other doors of perception. I find this a huge gift and generally it leads to rejuvenation and new creativity!
So what happened this summer – what did I learn that I think would be useful to you on your journey? Two lessons really emerged from this active summer: The first is around building a spiritual practice as the foundation for my life. Making a daily routine out of checking-in each morning and calling to the Divine have brought me joy, humility and more gratitude for all that I have. I found, simultaneously, that in really bringing my attention to this, a whole lot more attraction showed up as well around my business offerings.
I’ve heard people talk of a philosophy of life where you first need to HAVE (money), so that you can DO (what you love), so that you will BE (happy/authentic). The HAVE/DO/BE philosophy. I actually think they have it backwards! Especially noticing that the happy/authentic part comes after everything else! (Very delayed gratification!) I prefer to reverse it so it becomes: BE (who you are), honor your gifts by Doing what you love, to HAVE what you need. – BE/DO/HAVE. From this perspective, my coaching and retreats focus on Being your Authentic Self first. This requires devoting time to deep listening and entering a relationship with your Soulful self. I can say that when you have and nurture that special connection with You, an authentic presence shows up. It’s this magnetic force – of embracing your True self – that attracts people and opportunities to your door.
The second lesson was about the power of invisibility as a Leader. I can’t think of any real role models in my earlier life for this way of leading. I was always taught to be a Leader you should be Big and Strong and Boldly out Front (driven by the popular culture and media). Those were the accepted kind of leaders I saw at school, in our community or out in the world. While I’ve had the chance this summer to be at the ‘front of the room’ or showing the way at times, what I’ve noticed is that there’s an invisibility factor also at work. By being fully myself, by setting that tone and holding a stake for there to be safe space and compassion for all, something else has emerged. The Invisible Leader. If I’d chosen the path of a consultant, providing others with all their solutions, I probably wouldn’t be too happy about this. But in coaching, where the belief is that the client has their own answers, this is a perfect style to bring. For me, it’s taken the practice of seeing what works and what doesn’t in real time, continuing to be a learner and the desire for participants to gain the most from their own inner wisdom that has helped me to provide the space for them to shine their brightest.
As I reflect on my clients, both in private coaching and on the retreats of this summer, I see a lot of growth, cracking open and willingness to step off cliffs and fly… to try new things, to deepen that inner relationship and to take their own stand for what truly matters. So while I may be a bit tired, my heart flutters with joy and fulfillment as I look closely at and celebrate all these wonderful, emergent leaders and the choices they’re making for their True Life!
Victoria
Are you developing your Authentic Presence? Do you want to deepen your relationship with your deepest Self? Consider a coaching relationship or join me for a women’s retreat.
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(970)2590-9040 email Victoria@truelifecoach.net
