Living A Better Story

If your life to this point was published as a novel, what would the title be?  Do you have regrets?  Things you are proud of?  Moments you treasure and that feed your soul when you need them?  Moments that are pushed to the back of your mind to protect yoursStory Articleelf from pain?

Each one of us is living our own unique narrative.  A typical story arc in writing is composed of the following:

  • There is a main character (often referred to as the “hero”)
  • There is something that character wants
  • There is a crisis, obstacle or complication that must be overcome to get it
  • There is resolution

We will find ourselves repeating this arc throughout our entire lives.  The details of the arc might change, but our experiences follow the typical story arc pretty closely.

What happens when the hero of a story doesn’t know how to overcome their obstacle?  Or even discover what it is they really want?  Often an author will create a character to act as a “guide.” The guide does not take over the narrative or usurp the hero role but acts as a support and mentor to the hero, enabling them to accomplish their mission.  One very excellent example of this is found in Star Wars – A New Hope.  Our hero is Luke Skywalker.  He wants to be a Jedi and fight the dark side of the Force.  One of the obstacles to this mission is that he does not know how to use or control the Force.  The character of Yoda steps in and becomes his guide.  Yoda does not “rescue” Luke or perform Luke’s tasks for him.  Instead he guides Luke to the answers he already has inside him.

What makes a story worth telling?  Riveting, flawed characters who are redeemed before the resolution.  A “mission” that has deep purpose.  A crisis or obstacle that others can relate to and requires deep struggle.

Your life is your story. 

Where are you in your current narrative?  Are you still searching for your mission or purpose?  Have you reached an obstacle that is hindering you from finding resolution?  What do others see when they “read your story?”

My purpose as a coach is to be your Yoda.  Are you ready to live a story worth telling?  Pick up your pen and give me a call!

My Road To Coaching

Several years ago I was stuck.  And I was not happy about it.  In my early-mid forties and I was feeling as if I had peaked in my late 20’s. It was a dark, discouraging place to be.  By chance (or providence) I ran across information for a conference led by one of my favorite writers, Donald Miller.  It was called “Storyline” and hinted at looking at our lives as a narrative.  It sounded intriguing, especially in the mental state I was in, so I signed up.  Storyline completely rocked my world.  For the first time I was able to see how some terrible past experiences could be redeemed.  How they changed me for the better and prepared me for what God had in store for me.

This began a journey that led to adopting our now 9-year old son, joining the board of FASD Network of Southern California and startDonald miller quoteing a support group for members (FASD:  Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), and to find my own coach.  And here is what I discovered over my three month coaching experience.  I wanted to do what my coach was doing.  I wanted to help people find their purpose.  I wanted to see people break through barriers that ultimately became stepping stones for success.  I wanted to see that moment in a person’s eyes when they realize they had this amazing story inside of them, waiting to be written.  I wanted to see the realization dawn on them that they were the hero in their own story and their story could make a difference in their community and in the world.  Simply put, I wanted to be Yoda.  Or maybe Socrates.  Ask the questions, give the tools, provide accountability and the opportunity to find that spark inside them.  The spark that ignites an amazing epic story.

Your story matters.  

If you need a catalyst to start living out a story worth telling consider working with a personal life coach.  A life coach is not your therapist, your mentor or advisor.  Your coach believes that you have the answers already.  You just need help uncovering them in a confidential and safe place by breaking down your goals into do-able sized steps, and then being held accountable.  A life coach will not critique you or tell you what is right or wrong for your life BUT they will ask the questions that help you unearth the answers yourself.

Have more questions?  Give me a call. Shoot me an email.  I’d love to hear where you are and where you want to be and then help you figure out exactly how to get there!