Develop Your Story and Live It with Commitment – by Rick Forbus, PhD – CEO – Trove, Inc.
As an executive coach, days are spent helping clients find their best version. This discovery is rich for people seeking to get better, and, live a fulfilled life. I live to serve others. My role is not only to be an alliance partner with leaders as they search for their “sweet spot,” but also to uncover hidden treasures within themselves. From a recent blog, I recently wrote:
What is your “story?” Is there a version that you want people to know and then is there the real one? Are you at risk of living an untrue story?
How we answer these questions will determine our peacefulness, centeredness and legacy. All of us have extenuating circumstances and outside influences in our lives. There are disruptions that ignite our passions for the good and then there are the disruptions that bring out our worst. The discovery of who you really are and what preferred future you would like to claim someday, is important to living optimistically.
In my coaching practice, it is always encouraged for clients to work at setting goals in five areas of human expression:
- Their Professional Life
- Their Personal Life
- Their Physical Life
- Their Legacy Life
- Their Spiritual Life
Setting goals in these areas is just the beginning to finding your “story.” I’ve found that there are converging lines when one intentionally begins to search for their story.
(1) The first line of thinking and feeling is the line of talent, skills and opportunities to grow in areas not yet developed. (2) The second line of thinking and feeling is the line of internal drive, emotional strength and desire. (3) The third line of thinking and feeling is the line of discernment, perception and observation.
When one builds their story, all three of these “lines of thinking” must be considered. At the point that all three lines reach their potential, an individual has clarified their story. When these lines converge and ascend into a trajectory of ideal accomplishment’, one’s story is energetic, actualized with passion and fervor. You are “in” your zone. You are represented in your authenticity.
Set goals along these three lines of thinking and feeling:
- Talent, skills and capabilities – Grow and get better technically.
- Emotional Intelligence and resiliency – Manage stress and “fan the flame” of whatever is your burning desire for a preferred future.
- Discernment and observing the situational circumstance – Pull away from your immediate urgencies and take a longer, discerning look at what you want to become and plan strategically to get there.
Declared VS Real
Lastly, to write your story, define what is declared in your life and what is real. Many times, they are not the same. What are you hoping is true but is really not true about you; your story? For instance, I may declare all I want that I am tall, thin and completely in great physical shape. Here is what is real: (1) I will never be tall, (2) I can continue to exercise and diet to get in great shape, (3) I likely will never really look thin because of my body type.
Begin to be honest about what is declared and what is real. Many of my clients work on what is declared in their value system and what is really real. This difficult, but, important process, helps us to write a real story. Working to separate the real from the not real is a crucial step to having a vibrant and authentic story.
When we really work to improve and clarify our stories, we are honest, and, we intentionally work along these three lines. Work at these lines converging into one robust line of destiny. You can live a dynamic life. Clients that want to live in a domain of accomplishment; work hard at their story. They intentionally labor to improve their storyline.
Start your storyline now. Be able to share your story: (1) in the elevator, (2) at the water cooler or (3) in the bleachers watching your children or grandchildren on the sports field. Be clear and confident of your story. Tell it with glee and honesty. Believe in it. Be real. Decide to not live as an imposter.
Write It
Edit It
Live It…with Commitment
In my years as a coach, professional trainer and keynote speaker, I’ve been on this pursuit of the “story” with about 44,000 individuals. The content of the training or speeches is not always the same, but, when people reach out to me one-on-one, they want help defining their purpose, passion and pursuit. Asking “why” we are on the planet, is a great way to begin. I’m excited for every day because of this quest; helping people articulate their story. If we can define it, we can defend it, then, we can deploy it.
Rick Forbus, PhD Executive Coach
rforbus@troveinc.com
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