We are delighted to welcome dear friend and colleague, Callie B. Elwayns, as guest blogger. Callie has supported and encouraged us personally and professionally for many years. Callie has taken on some brave new work over the past few years and as Lillas says ‘Callie embodies and imbues a radiant beautiful depth of presence she brings to life and all around her’.
We all have a story to tell and to share. It can take courage to find the story and more courage to make it visible.
Your Story Matters, by Callie B. Elwayns
One foot on the gas, one foot on the brake …
Every day in my practice, I hear from accomplished women who are ready to step up to their next level of impact, YET they are paralyzed by the poison of outward comparison.
This despite having hard earned credentials, business mastery, a vision for solving the critical problems of our times and smart go to market strategies …
“I keep second guessing myself … do I really have something valuable to say?”
“There are so many amazing business platforms and offers out there. How am I going to stand out, so I can be seen and heard?”
“I can’t I seem to get off the starting block.”
Comparison is so debilitating because it gets its energy from a sense of lack.
There is not enough to go around. Not enough capital. Not enough clients. Not enough space for me in my field of practice. I am not enough. I don’t have enough charisma, experience, followers … the list goes on.
When you let go of comparing yourself to others you are free to be who you were born to be.
You are needed.
A blade of grass is needed as much as the biggest star. No one else has your specific flavour, your unique gift.
The truth is, it’s your sacred responsibility to fully express your unique destiny in this one precious life.
So, what should you do instead?
The experts will tell you to acquire more certifications, go on another retreat, build a better social media brand, and push out more content to rise above the rest.
I’m here to tell you that you already have everything you need!
The antidote to the paralysis of comparison is to stand squarely on the power of your personal story.
Your Story Matters
The number one way to get visible and have a massive impact, is to tell a really great story. YOUR story.
In a world where everyone has skills, credentials, experience and sexy brand platforms … the one thing you have, that no-one else has, is your story.
Your story is your most important asset with which to influence, transform and lead.
The first time I shared my personal story in a theatre full of esteemed leaders, colleagues, and clients I was terrified.
Was I making a BIG mistake?
As a female corporate leader and public figure, I worked hard to garner respect and maintain a professional image in my field. Was I going to expose myself and harm my reputation?
When I stepped into the open with my authentic voice, everything changed.
I realised that sharing my personal story was an act of radical generosity.
My journey from living homeless on the streets as a young teen, to becoming a corporate CEO and community leader, was marked with many struggles and triumphs.
It was those exact struggles that made me a living role model for how to cultivate the courage to break through your inner glass ceiling and play a much bigger game!
After crossing that threshold with my personal story, I began to feel more comfortable in my own skin and more at ease with my authentic leadership voice and style.
It was like the vulnerability and honesty of my story made me more naturally attractive and compelling.
Family, friends and collaborators in my world began to open up to me in unprecedented new ways. The momentum, impact and income of my business like never before.
Finally, I could let go of the exhausting effort of proving myself. I could take a breath and just get on with being me.
Callie B. Elwayns
Callie B. Elwayns offers life changing programs and mentorship, to catapult women into bold new levels of leadership presence, visibility, career and business success.
Her proprietary, Somatic Transformational Story Method ™ is a powerful step by step process rooted in years of applied research as a trauma informed somatic movement educator. It builds on her journey from the street as a homeless youth, to over two decades of business leadership success at the forefront of public and private companies and includes her skills as a powerful speaker, stage performer, transformational coach and mentor.
The BOLD & VISIBLE MONOLOGUES is a sold-out performance where women step forward to unleash their voice, embody their stories and ignite their mission in the world.
Watch for more from Callie, in the meantime here are her Social Media links..
It’s Time to Get Visible! (Facebook)
Sharing our stories and acting with courage have always been a guiding practices for us.
Showing up and Being Seen can be challenging. Lillas told her personal story Living in the Mystery as part of the Bold and Visible Monologues. It was a bold step for her. More recently she talked about When a Leader Experiences a Personal Crisis.
Linda explored Courage to Be Me and shared a personal story 1969 and I am Having a Baby . Lillas shared about Making Your Leadership Visible.
Morning Pages can help us revisit our life for stories and digging into the Enneagram can help us rewrite them. Harvesting Our Souls is a great way for gathering.
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