Are You on Purpose?
Or is your day-to-day dictated by your myriad responsibilities at work and at home...
Dealing with difficult people and unconscious biases in the work place that frustrate you and leave you resentful and out of sorts…
Taking on yet another assignment when there’s already way too much on your plate, because saying ‘no’ could jeopardise your chances of promotion…
Staying busy, busy, busy all the time, letting work encroach into your home life…
Knowing deep down inside that there’s something missing.?If only you could put your finger on it…
That ‘something missing’ is not being on purpose.?Yet, reconnecting with your purpose is something that needs gentle nurture. Hard to do in your crazy busy world, unless you’re willing to take a little time out. Precious me-time for you to re-align with your values, with what makes your heart sing.
When working with clients, one of the first things we do is explore purpose. It’s key to a rich and fulfilling life, both at work and at home.?We explore your archetypes — ones most familiar to you — as these are keys to rediscovering your purpose. Your reason for being. Once you’re aware of this, you know when to say yes and when to say no to initiatives or projects, depending on whether they are aligned, or not aligned with your purpose and values.
So what is an archetype?
In the context in which I use it, an archetype is is a way of being human that’s instantly recognisable.?Throughout all time, across all cultures, say the word ‘mother’ to someone in their language and they know exactly who you mean. Warts and all — the good, the bad, the ugly and they know how to behave. And that's the power of the archetype. It's universal and immediately recognisable.?
If you were to look back over the whole of your life right now, you will probably find that there are about a dozen different personas, different archetypes that are really prevalent in your life. They've been with you like old friends, or irritating siblings.?Once you identify and recognise them, you’ll start to find some sense of your direction.?Because archetypes are there to challenge you, to inspire you to realise your full potential and to guide and direct you along your path.?
There are four archetypes every human being shares and they tend to show up in force?whenever you are challenged.
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Your Gremlins
Your child may be hurt, wounded, may feel abandoned. These are all from your early childhood experiences. Consider, though, that the child is innocent. And we’ve created our ego personality to protect this innocent one and keep her safe. But if you were to allow her to play, what you'd find is that you could tap into her playfulness, her innocence or her sense of wonder at the world, her creativity and flow. And that could really be very useful to you as you deal with the myriad challenges of your life.
You're likely to find this lady show up at times: the Victim. Your victim will show up when everything gets to be too much out there and you get discouraged. Oh, why? Why is this happening to me? And the moment you get a ‘to me’ type of inner word or thought, it’s because your victim is at play —?there to say hey, sharpen up, get back in control of the situation, start to make things happen, rather than be at the effect of things. ?
And then there's the Saboteur. I'm sure you've come across her. I certainly come across her in my life. She tends to work behind the scenes until you're almost there. Then something happens and you just trip up, so pay attention to her and see where she's showing up in your life.?
And finally, your Prostitute. She’s not just someone who sells her body for money. She is the person who compromises her values, her beliefs, her health and wellbeing in order to get ahead or to fit in. So anytime you compromise something that's important to you, your prostitute is at play.?
It's really important to be aware of these archetypes and how they play out in your life, particularly how they play out when you choose to live your purpose. Say ‘No’ to those unreasonable requests on your time and energy… stand up for what you believe in and what truly matters to you.
I invite you to go through this process with me — leave the drudgery and busy-busy-ness behind and live a life of impact and fulfilment. Let’s set up a call and map out a way forward for you.
Almira
Dr Almira Ross, Women’s Leadership Coach and Trainer
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