|
|
All rights reserved With morning sunlight and a soulful cup of coffee in hand, I was reading an article by Stephen Covey about finding your voice.
“Voice is the overlapping of the four parts of our nature: our mind, our heart, our body, and our spirit.” ~ Stephen Covey
The article challenged me to answer the following four questions…
MIND > What am I good at?
HEART > What do I love doing?
BODY > What need can I serve?
SPIRIT > What is life asking of me? What gives my life meaning and purpose? What do I feel like I should be doing? What is my conscience directing me to do?
I will not attempt to answer these questions in my post today. I do, however, encourage you to think about these questions and determine if your answers are in sync.
Over the weekend I am going to tackle these questions. Most likely, I will determine my answers are not 100% in sync.
My reaction to first reading these questions was….
How am I balancing the different parts of my voice?
Which one takes center stage? Do these different parts get along? Are they harmonizing? Or is there an inner battle?
Today I leave you with more questions than answers.
And I’m sending you the strength to contemplate these questions and watch your authentic voice shine.
Your Turn >> Use the comments section to share your first reaction to these questions? Share your answers or introduce us to your authentic voice.
Stumble It! If you’ve enjoyed this article please share it on StumbleUpon.
-
[…] How to Synchronize your Authentic Voice […]
First off…do I notice something different here? I think that’s a new picture of you – am I right?? If I’m not, and it’s always been there, then – you can say that I really don’t notice things (I’ve heard it before…). But, I still think it’s new. And I like it! It makes coming here feel a little more personal. Really, it felt personal already. You have a way with your words that really make your visitors (at least me) feel welcome, and like I’ve known you for a long time. So, just more personal. Hmmm…if I think that, then I wonder if I should do that too….
Back to the original question. You do leave me with a lot of questions today! That was my first thought. Well, and that they are not just simple, easy questions to answer. They take some thought. I think the toughest of these for me will be heart and spirit. They will be the hardest to come up with a true answer, no matter if it is alignment with the others, or not. I’ll be back…maybe with some answers…maybe with just more questions.
I have enjoyed reading Stephen Covey – but it’s been a while now. I think it’s time to pull out one of his books and re-read it. I just find that much of what he says make alot of sense.
Lances last blog post..Lost In This Great Big World
@Lance – Yes, I recently added a picture and thanks for the feedback. I resisted putting my face online but decided to jump in and enjoy the splash. Hey world – look at me.
I agree these are not easy questions to answer. I do think, however, answering them may help me understand and perhaps reveal a new angle of my authentic voice.
this is so interesting! I’ll have to come back to answer. I always feel in between lost and found. being real and passionate does not equate balance 24/7 alas
@Helenina – Thanks for letting me share your art on my blog. I can relate to feeling between lost and found. I never thought about it in those words.
The first two are easy: I love to write and to communicate with people. I am also good at both.
The rest… I’ll think about it over the weekend.
Thank you for a thought-provoking post!
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..Quirky, Yet Boring
@Vered – Looks like you are halfway there. Looking forward to hearing more about what you discover over the weekend.
While I didn’t have these specific questions to answer, they are similar to questions I’ve been asking myself for the past several months. Great to have these to use and write about in my journal. The work I’ve done over the past few months has brought me more in sync than when I started and what a liberating feeling that has been. For too long I wasn’t “myself”, instead being who I “should” be. It was uncomfortable. I’ve found my voice now, and that’s what I will create in my work and my life. Thanks for these specific questions to answer!
@ Stacey – It’s so wonderful to hear that you have been working on synchronizing your voice and that you are now comfortable with yourself instead of being who you thought you ‘should’ be. That’s exciting news and encouraging for others who are searching for their voices.
Hi Stacey – here are my answers
MIND > teaching
HEART > relating
BODY > making things happen
SPIRIT > helping people express themselves in the world
Thanks for the questions!
Cheers – Robin
Robins last blog post..Think And It Shall Be So
Hi Stacey,
When I read the part, “what should I be doing”, that’s when I get to feeling overwhelmed. I usually have so much on my plate, I don’t always know what to do first. HELP!!
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Open Mic – The Need For Speed
This really made me think….about me for a change-
MIND > What am I good at? Being a motivator
HEART > What do I love doing? connecting with others
BODY > What need can I serve? help people reach healthy living goals through nutrition and exercise
SPIRIT > What is life asking of me? to just be me and let what will happen, happen.
What gives my life meaning and purpose? my children
What do I feel like I should be doing? being happy, everyday and enjoying every second with my family
What is my conscience directing me to do? to guide my children in this world, to be content with what I have and with who I am.
SpinDivas last blog post..Keeping it together during the school year
lots to reflect on! I have recently been working on my body which has set in motion, a deeper appreciation for my mind, heart, and spirit. This week I am focusing on my spirit more. I think I have let it take a bit of a back burner the last year.
Annettes last blog post..If I Had More Time…
It’s great that you have your picture up. Somehow it helps me picture myself chatting with you as I write in my comment.
Your questions are not so easy to answer for me. I realize that I have often been having a tough time trying to decide if mind or heart should rule. Lately, spirit is also coming to the picture, letting me know that perhaps it is best to be less controlling. Go with the flow, it seems to be saying!
I had never thought about a ‘voice’ and it over lapping this separate parts of ourselves. I don’t think that my mind and heart are entirely synchronized based on these questions but they are definitely thought-provoking.
Excellent post and I’ve gave it a stumble. BTW, I’ve just added you as a friend so feel free to add me back. I’ve recently created this list so if you would like to be included send me an email:
http://www.pluginid.com/personal-development/
Glen Allsopps last blog post..Taking Control of Your Life
@Robin – From where I’m sitting, that sounds like a beautiful voice (and I look forward to continuing to learn from your authentic voice).
@Barbara – For me to determine what I need to do first, I always create a list. Actually, I create micromovement wheels (that hang on my wall next to my desk). Check out SARK’s micromovement guide here > http://www.planetsark.com/pdf/MicromovementSheet.pdf
@SpinDivas – Thank you for sharing your soul searching answers. Sometimes it’s nice to have some quiet time to just think about yourself. I encourage you to find more time to think about yourself!
@Annette – Good for you to be focusing on your body. Many people don’t take care of their bodies so I’m celebrating with you. You should feel proud.
@Evelyn Lim – Thanks for the photo feedback (I love feedback). Isn’t it amazing that the different parts of “self” talk to each other? I’m working on making that chatter flow into song.
@Glen – Thanks for sharing your thoughts, thanks for the Stumble, and thanks for access to your personal development list. I’m looking forward to reviewing the list.
@ALL – I’m still working on my answers. Thank you to everyone who commented on this rather difficult-to-answer post.
I’ve put aside a strong desire to write and make music for many years while raising a family and trying to be a good provider. Not being authentic to those questions you pose, the work has not gone well. Only when turning inward and focusing on what I love most and do best, does the effort begin to ease, does life move a little more toward purpose and abundance and flows more easily.
Kip de Molls last blog post..A Room Full Of Song
@Kid de Moll – First, I used to live in Burlington and my heart will always belong to Vermont. Second, thank you for sharing part of your journey. I put off writing and painting for many years too so I could begin my family. I now know I am a better mom because I am following my authentic path.
“Only when turning inward and focusing on what I love most and do best, does the effort begin to ease, does life move a little more toward purpose and abundance and flows more easily.” I love that. I think I may have to quote you one day.
I’ve been pondering this of late. Our voice of course is much more than our writing or speaking voice. It’s our calling expressed. Thanks for the tip to Covey’s blog.
Tom Volkar – Delightful Works last blog post..Clarity Empowers Progress
@Tom – Exactly! Our authentic voices are beyond words.