Life is uncertain and we often face unanticipated challenges. Sh*t happens and sometimes everything, everywhere, all at once. Many of us can go within and wonder, “why me? What have I done to deserve this chaos?” What if it’s not you? And while I certainly advocate for self-responsibility and accountability, sometimes there are larger forces at play. Let me explain.

I recently supported a client during a period of transition in both work and life. His family was expanding, so he was moving and at the same time starting a new job. Any one of these major life milestones was significant and could be cause for additional stress and anxiety. Two changes together would most certainly heighten pressure, so imagine that all three at once like a tsunami unsettling even the most stable individual.

These big changes are happening concurrently more and more. I see it in my own life and around me as pressures from work (job losses, promotions, pivots) intersect with personal turmoil (divorce, death, health issues or other major crisis). And we wonder why we may reach a breaking point.

Even grounded and well-adapted individuals are likely to experience unanticipated reactions, like fear, dread, disappointment or frustration, in the face of their own mortality as the the old world order crumbles around us. This period of change is bringing a lot to the surface to be looked at, transformed and hopefully healed.

While we may not be able to change the geo-political dynamics we’re faced with overnight, we can focus on those challenges that impact us directly. We can only address the areas that are within our control. As we are pushed and perhaps forced to face our own triggers, we are being invited to reassess aspects of ourselves and our lives that are no longer working for us.

What needs to be seen?

Are we paying attention to the signs? Are there places where we hold unhelpful beliefs (like “I’m not good enough”) or perpetuate unhealthy patterns (like stress eating or rage-quitting)? Do we have internal blocks that we keep ignoring or avoiding (such as fear of change or feeling stuck)?

In my client’s case, the change and uncertainty in his situation was causing him major back pain. Now maybe you’re thinking, sometimes people injure or strain their back – it can happen. Yet as we dove deeper into his experience, it appeared that his physical pain was more likely to be a manifestation of unresolved emotional and mental issues (stress, grief, sadness for instance) he was carrying.

Aggravation with and resentment towards a former employer and the desire for more financial security and stability for one’s family are very natural reactions we all can experience. But we don’t always throw out our backs in response.

Since we had already addressed these issues previously, something new emerged that was interesting. An older pattern was revealed that mirrored previous experiences when my client had avoided and suppressed important emotions calling for his attention.

This new insight was a relief that indicated the back pain wasn’t all in his body or his head. It was likely related to a learned family pattern around responding to change that had not yet been addressed. As we explored inherited beliefs and reactions embedded in his psyche, we found an old narrative written for him by prior generations around how to manage change that was no longer working for him.

How to Break Old Patterns

We were then able to create a new story for my client’s life now that represents a healthier way to adapt to change and allows him to show up fully for his family. He no longer needs to carry or act out a hidden old pattern that was passed down to him.

The more we can understand and heal ourselves, the more it ripples out to everyone we interact with. My client’s new found awareness will help him avoid inadvertently passing unhelpful reactions on to his own children and allow him to better attend to his body to minimize pain.

This is the transformational work that I love to do – to uncover and address the root causes of where we struggle. This lets clients understand how to integrate their personal and professional selves to show up fully in their leadership. They can be present for what is needed now, without carrying the burdens of the past forward in unconscious ways that negatively impact themselves or others.

When we reveal and reclaim our wholeness, we can step forward to do our work in the world in powerful ways, allowing us to make intentional and conscious choices. My clients with this awareness experience clarity around their priorities, increased confidence, as well as more fulfillment and ease in how they navigate change.

They learn to know, like and trust themselves fully. Showing up to do their inner work creates embodiment and empowerment, so they can create life and work that feeds them and lets them share their gifts.

Now of course if you had back pain, you might go to multiple doctors, a chiropractor or physical therapist (aka the traditional medical establishment). And they might look at your physical body without considering how your back directly relates to the support in your life and how this impacts you both on a personal and professional level. Without realizing it, you would be overlooking how your body and emotions react to overwhelm, hurt or lack of resources. In other words, you would be missing the full picture of what’s really going on.

The work I do to help clients understand themselves extends their leadership into all aspects of life and work. It goes beyond traditional career and life coaching to help you create your personal and professional reality in alignment with what you care most about. You own your full humanity, rather than showing up piecemeal in parts and disconnected from yourself.

Want to learn how you can be your full self more often? Set up an Authentic Impact Consultation here to get laser insights into your situation and suggestions for how to create more alignment, impact and ease in your life and work. I’d love to explore where you might be facing challenges that are ready to be addressed at a root level.

Let Go of What You Don’t Need

If you’re ready to rethink what matters and release whatever is holding you back from your goals, then join me next month for the intro session covering step 3, RELEASE of the Authentic Alchemy Path on Wednesday, September 10 at 12:30pm EST. You can register HERE to be guided through how to shift and heal whatever is getting in your way. Learn how to create the space you need for change by addressing what is blocking your progress. You will better understand ways you may be subtly undermining yourself, so you can start moving towards what you want.

The RELEASE Master Class deep dive on Tuesday, September 30 from 6-7pm EST, will include reflection questions, a workbook, and the recording to help you take action with accountability to clear your path to progress. Register HERE to get your ticket now!

Back in Action

I had every intention to send out my newsletter last week, but unintentionally went off-grid as I left my entire handbag with my phone and wallet behind as I left for a camping retreat. After my initial concern about being offline, I quickly embraced being completely present in the moment. What a blessing! I may embrace more digital detox periods in the future to reset, be in nature and enjoy feeling less tethered to technology.

In case you missed my Intuitive Business Guidance reading for this week, I’m sharing personal and professional collective insights to guide your planning on Mondays. These are intended to give you inspiration around the themes to focus on for the coming week. Check out the brief videos (under 4 minutes) on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. This is a new approach I’m sharing and would love to hear if you find it helpful.

To rewriting your story,
Lenore