by Ann Evanston | Nov 15, 2017 | Personal Power
I have a girlfriend who is turning the big 4-0 today. Over the weekend we got together for a little celebration. At one point she had huge tears in her eyes. I asked about what’s going on, she’s frustrated. Surprise surprise that at 40 she’s questioning who she is.
It’s an interesting journey to really step into who you are and fully own it. I find it fascinating to watch women step right up to the doorway and then feel tremendous fear and back away.
It also breaks my heart.
It breaks my heart that women fear truly becoming themselves. That deciding to be authentic scares them, because she knows it means that others would disagree. She know many relationships would change. Some feel it is too scary …that it’s easier to please anyone but themselves.
My heart is overwhelmed with joy each time I see a woman step through that door.
She accepts who she is. She actually loves who she is. She’s OK with everyone not liking her. She satisfied with choices that she makes. And she knows she deserves the best for her, and by doing so, those around her tremendously benefit.
Every woman hits this at a different time and space in their life. It’s part of why I love my Woman’s Self-Love Evolution Retreat. It’s a space where women who have gone through the door, women who are standing at the door, and women who are unsure about the door all come together and grow.
This weekend while with my girlfriend, we chatted about what that door means for her at this significant birthday. I gave her an opportunity to try something, a technique I have used with clients for years. I cannot wait to hear if she was willing to try and it helped her step through the door.
Join us at one of my life and career changing retreats!
[Tweet “An influential woman knows she deserves the best and then others around her benefit best!”]
by Ann Evanston | Oct 25, 2017 | Business Strategy, Personal Power, Speaking Strategy
Recently I had the opportunity to teach my Influential Voice course to a group of higher level corporate leaders. It was a great cross-section of different types of industries and backgrounds. I love when people with years of experience still want to learn!
In this program one of the things we cover is the power of using stories to inspire groups of people. I have a simple storytelling method I teach, and they get several times to practice and get feedback in front of everyone.
One participant is a securities software professional. His work is very technical! And here I am asking him to tell stories that increase vulnerability and connect people emotionally. That’s how we create buy-in and yes in others. He wholeheartedly embraced the challenge!
As we started practicing our stories, he revealed that his degree was actually in marine biology. And throughout the class he told these amazing stories and adventures in college and just out …. all related to marine life. He fully engaged the listeners sensory experience!
Better yet? He was 100% able to take those personal stories and relate them back to a point he would want to make to a team at work.
[Tweet “Your Personal stories allow others to know, like, and trust you!”]
Ultimately, that’s a key to a great story. You allow us to learn about you, which means we know like and trust you more, and you create a teachable moment or powerful point so we know why it matters.
Often people tell me they have no stories to share. Every day something happens where you can create a relatable story. Just look at how this man was able to take marine biology and related to a security software team!
by Ann Evanston | Oct 18, 2017 | Energy, Personal Power, Relationship
It seems more and more people say: “I am an introvert.”
“I am such an introvert I don’t like talking to people.”
“Oh Ann, I could never speak in front of groups, I am too introverted.”
Introversion was originally just the way a person re-energized. It meant that you were best energized when alone, in a quiet space. Extroverts are energized by being around people, even if not talking.
I am an introvert. After speaking, I need alone time to re-energize.
These days it seems like anyone who struggles with social engagement is introverted. I believe that many people just haven’t learned good social interaction. We are too reliant on our IM, PM, email, social media to engage others. We no longer know how to do that.
But that isn’t introversion.
