When we listen to stories it helps us all connect with each other and often times can join us together.
Last week at my monthly Meetup group I made a new friend who messaged me afterward saying that she needed to start sharing her story on her website, she had just viewed my website and read my story and felt so much more connected to me after reading about the loss of my mom.
It’s not easy sharing some of the stories from our past, but it can be healing when we do.
Think about it. When you meet someone for the first time you’re curious about them. You ask them a ton of questions and based off of their answers and stories they share you can pretty quickly tell if you want to be friends and learn more about them.
It’s the same with business. When you’re at a networking event in your community or in a chat room online you have the opportunity to build relationships, ask questions, share ideas and build a community.
The people you choose to have around you will not all be clients, some will become friends, collaboration partners, referral partners or raving fans.
You’ll build these relationships by just being you. We often try so hard to be like everyone else it’s important that we remember that we are perfect just the way we are and we don’t have to try to be like everyone else.
Here are the top 3 things I hear from my clients when they come to me and are nervous or afraid to share their story.
1. My story is not that special.
No one has the same story as you and that is what sets you apart. We each have lived out different experiences in different ways that no one else can share from your point of view. You’re Unique and your story is special because it is yours and only you can share it.
2. Nobody cares about my story.
Yes, they do! You need to own your story, be proud of it and share it in a way that people will lean in and want to learn more. You have the ability to changes lives by opening up and sharing what you’ve gone through and how it has changed you to become the person you are today.
3. I don’t like to talk about me.
We can get so caught up in our head worrying so much about what others will think if we share pieces of our past or things that impacted us and made us who we are today. We worry about all of the things and it can stop us in our tracks. The key is to not make it about you, it’s about helping others heal. Think about the people who are going through something right now that you’ll be able to help shape or shift and get them through something by sharing the experiences that you’ve had.
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.