Your Purpose In Your Story

Uncovering the Clues in Your Story to Help Find Work You Love

When I worked as a therapist, it was my job to help people fix the broken places inside them. To provide a safe space of healing and empathy to improve functioning and start living a life of purpose and meaning. So my career meant the world to me.

I have always been intrigued by coaching and helping people with their careers. The day I started my mental health practicum was also the first time I created a resume for someone else. She got the job, and I embarked on what I was sure was my permanent career path of being a therapist.

Then my own life crisis happened — a series of events that led to moving to another state and the end of my marriage.

I had to shift fast.

I had to take stock of what I had left and identify the life I wanted to create. I knew my gift was for helping people see themselves differently. I also wanted to continue having a career entirely within my control that would allow me to use my skills to help women create lives of freedom, joy, and financial independence. The question was, how could I use this outside of being a therapist while keeping my ethical values intact?

After slowly putting my life back together after my separation, I started to take stock of what I wanted to do and what I was best at. Since I had been a stay-at-home mom for seven years, I knew it would be difficult to pick back up where I left off, and I realized that my old path no longer fit. I knew I wanted to become a coach, and I wanted to make sure that I did so ethically, so I found a reputable program that would help me learn new skills.

As many of you know, gaining coaching skills does not automatically prepare you for picking a niche and starting a business, especially when it's your dream business.

So I learned and honed my skills. Serving my first clients for free and eventually becoming a paid career coach, successfully helping clients land lucrative jobs at companies such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Kaiser, Visa, Genentech, and many others.

Still, something was missing. Have you ever had the experience when you felt you were close but not quite there? Have you ever thought that you were in a holding pattern, doing great work, but ultimately not aligned with your true calling?

I remember the exact moment it all came together.

It was January 2019, and I came across the video of Katelyn Ohashi performing her perfect 10-floor routine at the Alaska Airlines Arena. The video, which received over 6 million views within the first few days, is infectious. Here was a young woman, full of energy and vitality, on fire and on top of the world. I remember thinking about what sheer joy she exuded, doing what she loved, in perfect alignment with her talents and passions.

Then I read her story. The story described how she almost quit gymnastics due to injuries and body shaming. I read of her telling her coach, "I just don't want to be great again" due to the pain and disappointment she experienced when training as an elite gymnast. She reported that she had started to equate greatness with abuse and had to rewire her thinking to get back to doing the work she loved.

How did she do this? By finding a stellar coach, Valorie Kondos Field encouraged her to let go of the past, dream new dreams, and reignite her passion for the sport. As a result, she was able to tell herself a new story about what success looked like and what was possible.

It was at this moment that I discovered my niche and my purpose.

'Yes! This is it!' I thought to myself. "This is WHY I do what I do." I hadn't had the correct words before, but I knew I was onto something in my bones. It was as if everything I had been thinking and doing since becoming a coach became crystal clear in my mind.

"I want to help women do their best work, that they absolutely love, and achieve the pinnacle of their success, whatever that looks like for them."

Wordy? Yes. I probably require a copywriter, but you get the picture.

Whether through their career or entrepreneurship, I help women do their absolute best work, love the journey of getting there, and achieve the successful outcome they desire, whether it's more money, time, or freedom.

My mission is to help my clients to feel joyful doing what they love with confidence and passion.

The truth is, narrowing down my niche was the most challenging part of my business journey. However, once I had my A-Ha moment, everything else flowed much more smoothly. From creating my profile and content to knowing what I needed to help build my business, and most importantly, attracting potential clients looking for what I had to offer.

When I understood my niche fully, I was able to hone my strengths as a coach and make sure I could deliver what I promised. I started attracting clients who were experiencing apathy in their work, who had an intense desire to rekindle their joy and purpose. I was also able to learn the skills of creating a successful business, and in turn, be able to help others do the same.

As you can see, my story and experiences were intertwined with finding my niche. Finding my niche of Career Success and Personal Brand coaching was about taking these pieces and creating a beautiful tapestry that is uniquely mine.

What's your story? What clues in your surroundings have you found that can help you determine your path? For example, if you're a coach, how has your story and the stories of others influenced your niche development? Do you feel that your niche truly aligns with who you are?

I genuinely believe to be happy and prosperous, it's essential to love what you do. To love what you do, being aligned with your strengths, talents, and passions is crucial.

I believe that the secret to any success starts with your story.

What's your story? Are you truly aligned with your business or career? What's keeping you from doing your best work? What limiting beliefs do you need to get rid of to do so?