Changes and Pivots: Storytelling, Identity, and an Experiment Brewing...
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(Written version)
This week, we continue with changes and pivots. In our discussion on the last Community Coffee Hour, we also explored that further, landing into the concept of the T-generalist (turns out the original label is “T-shaped” but I like my spin better). If you are reading this, there is at least a part of you that wants to craft your own path, and to do so, it requires for us to think about ourselves in slightly different ways from what is expected from (or projected onto) us. The good news is that when we look for ways of telling our story and give ourselves permission to think about it differently, we find a way to let ourselves be the hero of our own stories.
But being the heroes of our own stories means that when we get to that point, we also need to take the next step and embody it.
I'll share an example of my own. I was recently chatting with a colleague who asked me who I was as a coach, and I said: “I am the coach who speaks of possibility and courage to her clients and models that to them.” But to do that, I also need to walk the talk, and that means that I need to show up and model the possibility and courage I speak of. To an extent, experimenting with this combined approach for this newsletter is me doing so. But some of you might have also seen my social media posts on Monday, wrestling, and acting on precisely this point. (Quick plug for LinkedIn and Instagram channels here for inspirational quotes, memes and behind-the-scenes!)
Once you know what your story is, it is time to own it, too. For today, we will stay within the confines of storytelling, and next week, our discussion and Community Coffee Hour will center around action.
On storytelling, I propose that you take a moment throughout this week to do a quick recap of your story. Here are a few suggestions on how to go about it:
- First, throughout this week, pay attention to what you say as soon as you introduce yourself. What are you leading with? For most of us, we often lead with our job titles. If you are a graduate student, you are likely leading with your dissertation. So as you go through your week, keep a running list of the ways you are introducing yourself. After a few days, read through it: Does it resonate with you? Does it feel clear? Or representative to you?
- I recently came up with a prompt for my creative writing group that directly relates to this. Imagine you are meeting a stranger for the first time: What story would you share with them that would represent who you are? It can be a fairly recent or once upon a time kind of story. What comes to your mind?
- Here is the third and final suggestion for today. Think about your change or pivot, and the version of you that you are becoming as you go through it. Who is that person? How does your reflection on my previous two suggestions match up with that version of you?
For those of us who identify as T-generalists, multi-hyphenates or multipotentialites, or simply a-walking-bag-of-curiosity-in-action, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how we want to tell our story. On the bright side, there is plenty to choose from and every conversation presents us with an opportunity to pick and choose what we want to lead with. On the not-so-bright-side, that can be overwhelming.
What to do with all of this? The name of the game is awareness and intentionality. By taking stock of the stories and traits you currently lead with, and the ones that feel truer to yourself, you are raising your awareness about how you present yourself to yourself and to others. In raising that awareness, you can explore a more intentional approach to connecting with who you are and who you want to be. Those who love you can help, as mirrors to who we are, but it is ultimately you who decides on the version of yourself that will take the reins.
So tell me, what story will you share today?
See you at our next Community Coffee Hour!
PS: Know anyone who can benefit from this newsletter? Please share it with them!
