Resource of the Week: Bringing Your Voice into the World

I'm proud to be a certified Integral Coach, and New Ventures West's resources are vital to my practice. This week, I'm sharing a powerful tool I recently received. I hope it helps guide you through the next week and beyond. 

When was the last time you used your voice?

You had something meaningful to say, add to a conversation or discussion.

Did you express yourself, or did you hesitate or hold back, worried about being judged, or that your opinion wouldn’t matter, or that you were afraid you’d not be heard?

Too many of us are waiting, believing there is a right time to use our voices. 

In reality, that time is now, lest we let our lives speed by without expressing ourselves. 

No more waiting. Bring your voice into the world. 

Please take up the following exercise for at least 30 days, stopping at least three times each day asking yourself the following and noting your responses, looking for patterns that emerge.

• What did I say, write, or otherwise express that felt true to me and fitting with the situation? What sensations in my body, emotions, and thoughts let me know this?

• Did I hold back, mitigate, or dilute my response or expression in some way? How or why did I decide to do that? Could I tell at the time, or did I only realize this after? 

• How will I take what I learned from the above answers into my next opportunity to bring my voice to the world?

At New Ventures West, we believe everyone should have a voice and the opportunity to use it authentically around others as a force for good. 

Whether you’ve had issues speaking up in the past or are working with others on their personal development journey, we hope this practice serves you well.