This weekend I will be attending the 2nd annual conference of the Calgary Association of Professional Coaches. I’m presenting a 1-hour break out session called “Get Your Inner A.C.T. Together and Create The Practice of Your Dreams”.
I thought it would be interesting to give you a sneak peek at this “Inner A.C.T.” But, before I get into the “A.C.T.”, I want to set the stage …
I’ve been interested in what makes people tick for a long time. I particularly became interested in psychology when I struggled with Clinical Depression and then Manic Depressive Illness. I’ve read, and collected, hundreds of books on psychology, self-help, and neuroscience.
My passion as a coach and consultant is to use my learnings about the inner workings of the brain and mind to help my clients. I want to help you learn from my mistakes and from my successes and thereby have a less stressful, more successful, less painful life at home and in your business.
I titled this presentation “Your Inner A.C.T.” because I’ve learned over the years, and keep learning, that I and you need to pay closer attention to what’s going on inside us. We get bajillions of messages from “Out There” telling us what to do – “Buy Me”, “Wear Me”, and you’ll be happy and have success. So, my goal in my presentation is to reinforce the notion that we need to “look inside for answers”.
So, what then is this “Inner A.C.T.”? The acronym A.C.T. stands for 3 qualities that together form our Essence. Let’s take a look at them …
A – Authenticity
When you know the answer to the question “Who am I?” and act in a way that is fully congruent with that, then you display the quality Authenticity.
But, you ask, “how could I not know who I am?” Remember those external messages I talked about. From the time we are born, well meaning people tell us who they think we are, or should be. So, over time we forget what I call the Essential Self, the part of us that is our Soul. We forget “Who I Am”. Not only do we forget we often become afraid to express that true self.
I’m willing to bet that if I asked you who you are you’d respond automatically with a job title, with what you do. You might tell me “I’m a coach”. Or, “I’m a Doctor”.
I’m reading a wonderful book by my favourite Jungian analyst, Robert A. Johnson, called “Living Your Unlived Life”. Here’s the essence of an exercise he suggests to help us discover the answer to the question, “Who am I”. Find a supportive partner. Sit facing each other. Get relaxed and centered. Have your partner ask, “Who are you?” Respond with whatever comes to mind. When you run out of responses, take a moment to recoup. Then have your partner ask again, “Who are you?” Keep repeating these steps till you reach a sense of being, of essence.”
When you know your Authentic Self and when you are able to express that self in an Authentic way, you have the first key to the Essence of you.
C – Courage
The word Courage derives from the Latin word for Heart. For me it is in and through dialogue with our Heart that we answer the 2nd essential question, “Why Am I Here”.
It is the Heart that is the centre of our Purpose. And, it is to the Heart that we need to look both to get clear on our Purpose and to restore, rejuvenate our Courage.
Why do we need Courage? Because it is a challenge to be Authentic, to walk our talk, to FULLY express our Essence.
So, we need to turn to our Hearts regularly.
Later this month (as soon as I master Scanning 101) I will make a PDF copy of an article I wrote on Courage called “Finding and Nurturing The Courage To Change.” I’ll let you know when it’s available.
Also, if you really want to do business from the Heart I (pardon the pun) heartily recommend you cruise on over to Mark Silver’s Heart of Business website (www.HeartOfBusiness.com) and get your self on his newsletter list. I know of no better source for Heart-centred business wisdom.
T – Talent
When I first started thinking about this notion the T-word Tenacity came to mind. And, while I do know form my own experience that it will take Tenacity to live a life of Authenticity, Tenacity didn’t quite fit with what I was trying to convey.
I believe that fully understanding what makes us unique is about knowing the answer to 3 questions. We’ve already addressed 2: “Who am I” and “Why am I here?”
The 3rd question is “What am I Given?” and relates to the Mind and to the inborn gifts or Talents we receive.
It seems easy to recognize Talent in others, particularly when it’s obvious like Mozart’s or Tiger Wood’s. But, often we deny our own Talent. How often when praised for being exceptionally good at something, have you said, “Oh. That’s nothing. Anybody can do that!”
Knowing your God given Talent is important. But, even more important is employing it – Authentically.
There you have it. My notion of the 3 keys to Essence.
Let me know what you think. Send me an e-mail or comment here on my blog!
