In The War of Art, Steven Pressfield shines a light on what he calls “resistance.” It’s the thing that keeps us from doing what we dream of doing. Resistance can manifest itself in self-doubt, procrastination, rationalization, or any other host of ways.
More than likely, a story you tell yourself causes resistance about the change you want to make, and it affects your being able to make that change. Resistance keeps you seemingly safe. No judgment there. It’s something we all do.
I have been following someone who runs a program I’ve considered doing for years. She doesn’t know me, and I don’t have permission to tell her story, so I’m purposely keeping it vague and anonymous.
She recently sold her company and has moved on to do something new, which requires her to “sell herself.” What I mean by that is that she is no longer the CEO of a company that sells programs, but a person whose identity is tied up in what she is selling. This feels more personal and more vulnerable. It requires that she “tell her story” and “put herself out there.” She has been overt about her reluctance to do this, but does it, which is more than many people would do.
Where do you land on this spectrum from unapologetically “putting yourself out there” to hesitantly doing so, to staying where you are because it feels more comfortable?
You might be a leader, an emerging leader, self-employed, or in the private or nonprofit sector. At some level, each of us struggles to tell our story for various reasons: You don’t want to make it about you, no one is interested, you don’t have an interesting story to tell. I’ve heard all of these and more. They are stories we tell ourselves. They are bad stories.
In a world where we need to get people to go out of their way to choose us, they aren’t going to do it if they don’t have this absolute nagging feeling that they want to. They have far too little time and far too many options with that time. To give you attention, trust and their time (in some cases some effort) is going to require giving a little of yourself.
Reflect on how you make choices for your doctor, your therapist, your dog sitter, and where you buy your clothes, and what it is that drives you to choose one over another.
Here’s the good news. It doesn’t have to be as vulnerable or soul-bearing as you might think. It’s truly remarkable the small ways we can tell our stories that get people to connect to us.
On my About page, there is a photo of me on skis with my Bernese Mountain Dog. Do you know how many people ask me about that dog? Half of my prospective client calls end with a discussion about Berners or dogs.
Last March, I left on a trip to Alaska that intimidated me, so I wrote an OOO message about fear and surrounding yourself not with people who are smarter than you, but more courageous than you, to push you through your comfort levels. I set it up, and I promptly forgot about it. When I returned, I had a coffee meeting with someone who said the email really prompted her to reflect on the thing in front of her that she is resisting.
I share this because you don’t realize the impact your story will have on someone unless you tell the story. And “telling your story” doesn’t mean starting with where you were born and went to school. It’s about infusing the experience of you into everything you do. Bringing the things you love into your work. Being vulnerable about the things going on with you, like I was when I wrote about this thing I was about to tackle that made me anxious.
These are the things that make you real and relatable. Because at the end of the day, people will make decisions emotionally. Assuming you check all the transactional boxes that your competitors also share, it will come down to a person’s gut feeling, and if they know and relate to you.
If we can’t see who you are, how you think, and that you are someone we want to associate with, we’ll choose something or someone else.
It starts with the small ways. Try it and see what happens.
If you’ve been contemplating your story and the next chapter, registration opens this week, May 15th, for Pause in Provence, a five-day retreat in September 2026 (that’s next year! Not this year), and with a $350 USD deposit, you can secure your place. Room selection in our fabulous villa will be based on a first-come, first-served basis. Find all the details here.
Take care out there.
WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE ARE SOME WAYS I CAN SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
See a video showcasing my work here and if you need help with one of the items below, let’s schedule a time to talk.
One-to-one – Powerful Presenters mentoring: Want to transform complex ideas into unforgettable messages? We’ll work together to prepare you for your next presentation.
Your Team – Power of Story workshop: I teach leaders of all capabilities how to engage authentically with their teams, community, and stakeholders to create meaningful connections that build trust, increase team engagement, and lead to better fundraising and revenue generation.
Your off-site or next event: Lead With Story keynote: My keynote is often used as a moment of connection to open events and get the creative juices flowing.
Need something else you think I can help with? I’d love to connect.
Stay in touch.
Sign up for our newsletter and receive a digital version of my book The Power of Story, Connect With Purpose, Unlock Your Influence for free.
I just could not go away your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the usual information an individual provide to your guests? Is gonna be again frequently in order to investigate cross-check new posts
Certified Roofing Experts in Wilmington North Carolina
Dwelling by the coast has many advantages: sea breezes, stunning landscapes and the unmistakable sound of breakers pounding against the shore are among them. However, living there also brings special issues: wind, showers and the constant salty atmosphere can affect negatively roofs causing drips, liquid infiltration and potentially fungus formation under tiles, thus necessitating engaging a specialist roofing expert in Wilmington NC to address these challenges efficiently. That is why maintaining reach to trustworthy roofers in Wilmington North Carolina is essential!
Roofing experts certified with the North Carolina can assess potential problems and take preventive steps to keep rooftops in good shape – this could reduce money in corrections while providing a safer working environment or living space for workers or occupants.
These companies concentrate in home and industrial roofing solutions such as metal roof installs, foam roofing jobs, thermal roof coating projects, shingle repair fixes, complete replacements of both home and business rooftops and maintenance tasks. Furthermore, they can manage setups for homeowners’ associations to meet standards.
Roof contractors authorized in Wilmington NC must carry insurance and surety coverage when doing roof work at homes and businesses, to shield residents versus potential damages that may happen during a task and make certain their rooftop is renewed or renewed by competent professionals. Additionally, it helps the resident verify whether their preferred certified roofer has the knowledge and expertise to offer high-quality services.
[url=https://portcityexteriors.com/cedar-shake-roofing/]Fast roof damage restoration in Wrightsville Beach NC[/url]
[url=http://kostucha.phorum.pl/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7431]Crucial Function of Roofing Aeration[/url] 4747f9c
Fantastic site. A lot of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your effort!
Skilled Roofing Firms Which Specialize at Shoreline Roofs
Shoreline zones display some of the globe’s most stunning homes, yet these climate also vulnerability to humidity may have negative effects upon roofs, like oxidation, dampness accumulation, and weather destruction. In order to safeguard their homes against these risks, homeowners frequently entrust skilled roof companies who specialize at seaside coverings with these unique obstacles in mind as well as help residents choose resources, styles and finishes offering better protection against conditions.
Property owners seeking a roofing provider must ensure they choose a contractor with a outstanding history also satisfied customers, and who are licensed and insured for laborer payment also liability losses. Moreover, these experts should hold ample knowledge also experience to conduct a comprehensive examination and suggest any necessary fixes, in addition to giving accurate estimates including charges or additional fees related to their task.
Quality roof contractors offer property owners with documented assessments that explicitly describe the extent and costs associated with their job, such as materials needed and costs. Moreover, they ought to provide no less than three-decade workmanship warranties and being ready to answer any questions that arise during this procedure.
While leading roofing providers can be honest and upfront with the patrons, they should never pushy when making choices. Before making a last decision they should spend time to clarify every facet of this project also answer any queries from customers before coming up with an answer. In the same way they ought to collaborate within clients’ schedules to make sure they finish on schedule.
A reliable roof provider should have established connections with nearby vendors and hold a comprehensive awareness of regional resources available to buy, making them best prepared to suggest materials which suit the regional conditions and can be acquired at a reasonable cost. They should be knowledgeable informed of any guarantees or warranties given by makers for helping maximize homeowners’ increase their roofing value.
Reputable roofing providers use advanced customer relationship management software to both improve internal and enhance patron satisfaction. This software provides live financial monitoring and report generation functions, permitting contractors to keep an eye on income, expenditures and profitability more efficiently while boosting task management abilities for making better choices – with greater efficiency, higher profit margins, and better sustainability considered.
[url=https://portcityexteriors.com/contact/]Community and reliable roofing contractors close to Burgaw North Carolina[/url]
[url=https://europeancitizensabroad.eu/waar-moet-je-op-letten-in-een-timmerman/#comment-101052]Stopping Ice Accumulation on Your Rooftop[/url] 4b4161e
Your blog is a breath of fresh air in the crowded online space. I appreciate the unique perspective you bring to every topic you cover. Keep up the fantastic work!