Sheri A. Bell, ICF-Certified (PPC) Life & Leadership Coach | Mentor | Sage
Helping managers grow into confident, effective leaders by expanding their self-identity, communication, and EQ skills.
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I once received an email from a woman in her fifties. “I feel like a bird in a cage,” she shared. “Open the door,” I offered. “I can’t,” she replied, “it’s locked and I don’t have the key.” Her thoughts, feelings, and beliefs had constructed the “cage” she truly believed she couldn’t exit.
Experts assert that 99% of our daily choices are driven by our subconscious “story” about who we are, what we deserve, and what we can achieve. To live our best lives, it’s critical that we exam our thoughts, beliefs, and habits that are keeping us stuck.
Fortunately, we humans are hardwired for resilience. Our brains have “plasticity,” which means we can tweak our perspective, changing our “story” about ourselves and the world, to expand our self-identity. We also can learn to sooth our nervous system, to not trigger so easily into fight, flight, fawn, or freeze reactions that steal our confidence. To this strong foundation we can then add the skills, knowledge, and experience that will fuel the success we want to see in our business and professional lives.
To exit your “cage” takes three things: Clarity, courage, and action. Coaching can help you to gain these faster than on your own, as your coach becomes your trusted partner.
Your thinking partner. Your planning partner. Your accountability partner. Your before/after partner.
What's "Caging" Your Personal Power?
I’m no longer surprised when successful clients share their struggles with self-doubt or Imposter Syndrome.
Some want to feel more confident in the spotlight; nailing it when they speak. Others want to stop feeling awkward with networking, or to calmly make tough decisions, or remain calm during difficult conversations. Some want to understand why they self-sabotage. Others want to jettison their people-pleasing.
The “cage-free” formula I use in coaching clients:
Empowered self-identity + regulated nervous system + growth mindset + vision + action + accountability = desired outcome.
Rewiring your brain takes time and tenacity. A coach can serve as your “external force” of application and accountability, which nudges you into full momentum much faster than attempting it solo.
You are NEVER stuck — unless you believe you are. And that, my friends, factually demonstrates the power you already possess to dramatically change your life!
"Sheri doesn't spoon-feed you the answers, and she knows which questions to ask that linger with you. She helped to get me started on changing areas of my thinking that were holding me back." Julie, CEO