How Essential is Your Essence?

My own life has been so much easier and so much more grounded lately. You know why? Because I am standing strongly in WHO I AM. I have been so fortunate to be enrolled in The Coaches Institute Leadership program. In each retreat I have attended, I have been able to get a clearer picture of my own essence.

I was given’ a type at Retreat 2. I found out I am a SEX type. It doesn’t mean sexy. It is about having an aggressive energy, about going out there and going after what I want. It is also about me being sassy, playful, sultry and charming. I don’t have to try to be this way. It is who I am naturally.

I have two wonderful teenage daughters who I love very much, but they often saySettle down, mom. Don’t be so loud. I have lots of energy and I get excited. It is who I am naturally.

I love to play and have fun and be silly. When I have a workshop, it always has some element of creativity and expression in it. I love to teach people through experience, music, play, art and body movement. It is who I am naturally.

When I collected old pictures of myself and did a collage, the general theme of the collage, was that I love to dance, dress up, be silly, celebrate, be highly energized, socialize and be a leader. I even found a quote that I had saved. It saideven the most civilized man feels a curiously quickening of the senses at the sight of a red-haired woman. Never mind that she may be a notorious mouse. He knows that, deep inside, she is a quivering mass of passion and fireworks. It is who I am naturally.

Life isn’t about making yourself smaller to please others. It is about making yourself BIGGER. I have found that when I stand strongly in WHO I AM, it encourages others to be authentic also.

What is your essence? Who are you naturally? Are you living a life filled with authenticity?

Some tools for uncovering WHO YOU ARE naturally:

* Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. You have to buy the book first, get a code and take the test online.

* Take the Meijers Briggs test

* Take the DISC and PIAV assessments

* Find out your Enneagram

* Gather old pictures of yourself and make a collage. Look for the general theme of your essence.

* Write a story telling about what you loved to do when you were a child.

* Keep a list of all of the compliments you receivepeople notice what you do best.