You CAN change your story

My parents are moving from my childhood home and sent me a pile of letters, report cards and other mementos.

If you find yourself with boxes in the front hall dropped off by down-sizing parents, I urge you – before you tuck them away in the basement or toss them – take some time to go through them, at least quickly. There is so much history, clarity and story strength in the exercise. [Extra points if you do this with your kids!]

I went through my pile one Sunday afternoon, and this report card comment caught my eye.

“Katherine has made many friends because she is a kind and happy little girl. She is always cooperative and enthusiastic about all aspects of Nursery School. We do feel that Katherine should have some help with her speech as it is difficult to understand what she is trying to say and she gets very frustrated when we must ask her to repeat something. The sooner she has help the easier it will be for her.”

My kids cracked up; it’s not lost on them that I help people speak their truth – and that their own mom couldn't. 😘

Fast forward to senior year in high school when I was Student Council President. It was my job to stand in front of the room and read the Monday morning announcements, and every Sunday night I agonized. I didn’t have to use my brain, just READ, but the overwhelming feeling, knowing the next morning I would have to be in front of my peers, can be best described as Dread. But I faced it, choked back my Dread Monday after Monday after Monday, and over the course of that long year, I got more comfortable and even started to enjoy myself. It's a muscle any of us can build over time.

Today, I know how important it is for everyone to find their voice and own their story. I've helped people talk about who they are, answer the question ‘Tell me about yourself', and grow from the process of opening up. I’ve learned how to extract a story that’s meant to be told and how to listen with my whole heart. I’ve helped clients with Dread bring down the house, the wedding, the interview, the keynote with engaging, meaningful, moving words. It's a gift I've developed over the course of my career; it's my deepest offering.

My kids still have a hard time believing how much I agonized speaking in public; they seem to think I was BORN with a lot of to say. Yet maybe, now that they all see how far I had to travel to be able to do the work I do, they’re proud of me for running my own business that's centered around helping others find their voice.

They might even ask me to help them one of these days!