How to Conquer 6 Crippling Fears That Silence Your Story

Why aren’t you telling your story?

Fear #1 – Maybe it’s because you think it doesn’t matter (it does).

Fear #2 – Maybe it’s because you’re worried it will hurt someone (it might, and it may set someone else free).

Fear #3 – Maybe it’s because you’ve got a story that you know you MUST tell but the thought of telling it makes you feel like throwing up (there are tools to help you settle your nerves).

Fear #4 – Maybe your story is the kind of story that you worry your audience can’t handle (they can). It’s deep. It’s heavy. It’s also healing and inspiring.

Fear #5 – It reminds you of what you don’t want to face. You don’t want to tell THAT story because it still burdens you and you don’t want to burden your audience.

Fear #6 – You don’t want people to feel bad for you. As a coach and speaker, you want to tell a story with power, hope and impact.

Good news?

You have a powerful story that shows your audience what could be possible for them and makes them feel good.

Bad news?

It may be the EXACT same story you don’t want to tell.

Before I get into how you can your story in a way that feels good for you and great for your audience, let’s look at what hiding your story may be doing to your business and your life.

Hiding Your Story Hurts

I don’t know what’s going on in your business, but I can tell you what happened in mine while I was keeping my heaviest story under wraps.

I’d burned through more than $28K+ in savings and racked up nearly $14K in debt.

Sure, I was getting clients and I was making money, but not enough to cover the money I was investing to solve my problem.

Sound familiar?

Most the courses, coaching and events were worth the investment, yet what I learned much later is that I didn’t fully implement what I learned because I wasn’t ready ON THE INSIDE.

I knew when I started my business that I would one day tell the story I never wanted to tell, even though I did everything in my power not to tell it for the first two years of my business.

And I paid for not telling it, professionally and personally.

Maya Angelou wasn’t kidding when she said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you”

If that untold story is the same reason why you do what you do, your business will continue to struggle until you find a way to tell it.

Feel Good About Sharing Something That FELT Bad?

Facing the unwanted circumstances and wounds of our past isn’t always easy, and healing is possible. This is why my coaching programs are energy-first, healing-centered, and incorporate trauma-informed approaches. Trauma has informed the creation of my business, and that’s often true for my clients too.

The people meant for you want to know the True you, and that includes your real story, the messy one. Because that’s the one that communicates your depth, strength, and vulnerability.

As long as:

1.You’re not still living it

2. You’ve made sense of it for yourself

3. You’ve made sense of it for your audience

Let’s begin with #1.

If you’re still waist-deep IN your story, this is not the time to share your story publicly. Maybe it becomes a story someday (or maybe not), but until you’re at peace with it.

[Note: DO share what you’re experiencing with someone who can help you get through it!]

That being said, you’re story doesn’t need to be completed before you can start sharing it. When it’s part of the journey that fuels your purpose and work, your story may still be unfolding, and that’s OK.

Let’s look at #2.

Even though hiding my story caused lots of tears, fear, and anxiety, the truth is I wasn’t ready to share it because I had more inner work and healing to do first. This is why working with your energy first is so important to creating the safety and alignment that will move you from hiding in plain sight to communicating boldly and standing in your leadership.

And finally, #3.

Once you clear your emotional and energetic pain of the past, you may still struggle with the more obvious challenge that all storytellers face: Does this matter to my audience, and if so, why? This is when we shift into strategy and structure to find the intersection between your audience, your message, and your story. Yes, it’s your story and it’s one you’re sharing so you can create authentic connection, common ground, and relevance for your audience.

When you finally tell that story you don’t want to tell from a place of wholeness, you’ll see how liberating it feels for you, as well as how it sets people free in the most meaningful way.

What would be possible when you connect with your audience, clients, and loved ones without hiding or silencing yourself?

I’d love for you to share in the comments.

 

Ready to share your story powerfully and responsibly?

Let’s explore if there’s a fit for you and me to work together. Fill out a Business Communication Assessment and schedule a call

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