Why do I use the word unleash?

Because rarely do we actually say exactly what’s on our minds, unleashing the power within us to make the kind of impact we’re capable of. 

For example, my client, Dyanne Kelley, encountered the cultural and professional dimming of her voice. As kids, we often get the message that our voices are too loud. We’re shushed by teachers, parents, and later, sometimes even by partners. We learn to compromise our voices to appease others.

As a therapist, Dyanne was also explicitly taught not to share anything personal. Her job was to keep the focus on her patients, without allowing them to get to know her as a person.

So, when she decided to write a book, it was difficult to break through those barriers.

It felt scary and vulnerable to share the painful stories of her divorce. But her passion to help other women going through similar challenges was stronger than her fears.

Dyanne wrote a powerful book called Soulfire Woman. In the book, her emphasis is on helping women connect with their Soulfire, the power within to heal and to move forward and to discover their purpose and joy.

Through doing her own inner work to overcome the past and the strong message to stay silent, she connected with her Soulfire and unleashed her voice as a powerful beacon to light the way.

Can you relate to that feeling? Have you felt that power in yourself? Maybe it has happened when you’re talking with a friend and you say something that sparks an aha moment for them. That feels amazing! Your words may have changed their life – or at least their perspective. And it didn’t require you to have a Ph.D. or be the top expert in your field. But it did require your unique insight and a willingness to give voice to your heart. 

When you allow the power of your voice to flow through you, a subtle shift happens in the world, like the light that beams from a lighthouse. Keeping your message under wraps may indicate that something is holding you back. 

I’m committed to helping you reclaim your powerful voices. That’s why I use the word unleash, because the beauty and power of your words deserves to be expressed.. 

Have you considered what might be keeping you from finding your voice and using it? Maybe the obvious things come to mind: not enough time, money, or writing or speaking experience. But what might be hiding  behind those common excuses? I call them “fear dragons.” When they show up, it’s your sign of an opportunity to finally work through your fears and reclaim your power from those dragons.

Here are some first steps you can take toward unleashing your voice:

1. Cultivate Courage Through Curiosity

When you get curious about what consistently holds you back, you face things like fear of failure, thoughts that you’re not good enough, concerns that no one will be interested, or that you don’t know how to start or won’t be able to finish.
Write down the things that have been keeping you from using your voice.

• Where do you think those fears came from? 
• Where/when do you let your voice out and speak your mind?

2. Clarify Your Mission

Knowing exactly how you want to make a positive impact on your readers helps you focus on delivering your content and stories in a way that will serve them most powerfully. 

Write down:

• A list of the ways you want to positively impact your readers and listeners. 
• How do you most want to help them?

3. Understand Your Audience

While you might want to help everyone, your message will deeply resonate with the people who most align with you. Your soulmate audience are the people who will say, “Thank God! I’ve finally found someone who makes sense, who gets me. Where have you been all my life?”

• Who are those people? 
• What helps you recognize them (demographic or psychographic information)?
• What hopes and dreams do they have that you can help them with?

4. Define Your Desires as a Visionary Leader

Now it’s your turn to put your attention back on yourself. Consider and write down:

• How your message serves your business, your mission, and your purpose. 
• What avenues do you want to use your voice? Speaking, writing, teaching courses, starting a podcast, etc.

5. Gather Your Support Team & Power Partners

Support is a necessity when you’re finding your voice and using it for transformation. It begins with you. Write down a list of the following (and anything else that occurs to you):

• How will you support yourself?
• Who else will you ask to support you? (Family, partner, friends, colleagues, mentors, communities, etc.)
• What power partners could also benefit from the work you’re doing or support your work? 
• Which communities could you visit to share your story or message?

All these steps will clarify what’s already in your heart and head. After that, you’re ready for the leap. Unleashing your voice may feel difficult to imagine. But imagine your readers experiencing their own transformation as a result of your vulnerable sharing. How does that feel? 

The only way to find out is to take that leap and unleash your voice. Once you’ve done that in a conversation, on the stage or the page or a social media screen, you’re on your way. You’ve got this!