13 Nov Are you feeling overlooked?
If you were a fictional character who would you be?
I find questions like that really hard. They hurt my head. But there’s a reason why I’m asking.
Because, like it or not, we are all characters in a story. Sometimes multiple, interwoven stories; at home, at work, in relationships, with friends and family.
Stories have plots, sub-plots, characters, heroes, villains and much more.
So wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, there’s a story happening.
But I wonder. Have you been cast in the right role?
Or is there a different character out there for you, in an entirely different story?
Think about one of your stories for a minute. Who is writing the script?
Are you feeling overlooked?
Sue came to coaching wanting to know how she could ‘adapt’ to changes at work.
She’d been working at the same company for about 10 years, been really happy there and had built a successful team around her.
And then a new CEO was appointed and everything changed. She didn’t feel like she belonged anymore. She was being asked to do things that she didn’t agree with and was feeling overlooked. Her management style didn’t seem to fit. Everyday was a battle. It was exhausting.
But Sue needed the job.
How could she adapt?
But we came to a different question.
Did she want to adapt?
Or did she want to start to write her own story?
You don’t have to feel compromised to feel this way.
Sometimes people are in a story that looks lovely, and they feel ‘should’ be enough. But it might not be where they want to be.
So, what to do?
If you don’t like to put yourself centre stage (and many of us don’t) then you might find yourself playing a bit part, standing in the wings, or helping out backstage.
And there’s nothing wrong with that if that’s where you want to be.
But, if you have dreams and ambitions and want to mix things up a bit then you need to get out on to the stage.
If you’re a leading role kind of person, then just go for it.
But if you are more reticent or reserved you can start to take some smaller steps towards the character you want to be in your own story.
Sometimes you just need to focus on yourself.
Allow yourself to think about your own hopes, dreams and ambitions.
How could you make them happen?
Who do you want with you along the way in your support crew?
What’s one thing you could do today to make a start?
A word to the wise.
It’s often easier for the people around you if you stay in their version of the story because then they don’t have to change. So you might have to deal with their disappointment, shock, worry, concern for you and for themselves.
But, generally speaking, people do want the best for each other.
You might have a picture in your head that they can’t see yet. They might need time to catch up.
Feeling overlooked?
Stop standing in the wings watching the action.
Get out there and take that lead role!.
If you want to think about taking charge of your own story then book a free call
I’d love to help