I’m always surprised and delighted when themes show up with my clients through the week.  I work with diversity of clients… it’s one of the things that challenges me about defining my niche… but that’s a post for another day.  My point is, it’s not like they all get together and decide what to throw my way in a given week!

This week the issue of truth telling has come up with almost all my clients.  None of my clients are liars.  However, they do play the game that humans play… and sometimes they aren’t completely honest with themselves about themselves.  Why keep the truth from seeing the light of day?  The answer almost always comes down to that overpowering  four letter F-word… FEAR.

It might look like not asking for what you need in a relationship because you don’t want to rock the boat.  Or not charging enough for your products and services (yes, this includes not raising your rates) for fear of customers no longer buying from you.  It might look like stuffing your dissatisfaction and frustration with a staff member because you don’t want to deal with the morale dip that sometimes accompanies the feedback.

All of these examples and more, came up in my conversations this week…. and what the client (and I) realized in every case is that not telling the truth is not sustainable.  It might feel easier in the moment but in the end it creates problems… usually much bigger problems then telling the truth would have created to begin with.  Not to mention the energy drain it is to walk around in-authentically, which is a recipe for exhaustion.

I invite you to look at your life and discover where you are not being honest… and speak up.  When you say your truth, it gives others permission to say theirs.  And what’s available are deeper relationships… or a business that sustains you…  or a staff member that has the information s/he needs to be successful… all of which is valuable.  Getting your authenticity back and freeing up energy to have some fun… priceless!

ONE day, a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?” You can’t possibly make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…

“Made a difference for that one.”

Adapted from The Starfish Story by Loren Eiseley

Where do you let what seems reasonable?   What is your heart asking you to do in the face of your head telling you it’s not practical, it won’t make a difference or some other such limiting story.  What can you do today that will make a difference for ONE?

Are you experiencing life as joyful, engaging, adventurous and full of possibility?  Is your work an expression of your highest self?  Are you creating your life or simply taking whatever shows up?  Engaging a coach can change your life and work in priceless ways. It certainly delivered that result for me. My commitment is to deliver that value for those who are ready to create lives they love right now.

If that sounds good to you, we should talk. Call me today to schedule a complimentary sample coaching session. Click here for Current Offerings.

It is my honor to walk with you as you navigate your journey to the business and life results you seek through our coaching work together. Success and more joy for you is just a telephone call away. Call 206-920-4426. I welcome the opportunity to continue the conversation.