How many different roles do you play?

Me?

Um, there are a few. Some in my past. Some current.

Mother to a teenage boy, daughter, sister, female, business owner, marketing consultant, writer, coach, communicator, instigator, student, boss, (deep breath) co-worker, spiritual seeker, friend to her(s), friend to him(s), runner, biker, wife, ex-wife, girlfriend, Midwesterner, American woman, kickbox instructor, Iowan, home owner, Adventurer (to name a few)!

What are your roles? “Who you are” in each role?

For example, what you feel is required of you as a mother, or at work, may be different then when you’re out with friends, or when meeting new people.

These feelings of requirement can feel daunting!

However, I think overwhelm comes less from all the roles we play, and more from bringing different versions of ourselves to each role we play.

When I’m mom I’m strict (which can make me crabby). When I’m business owner I’m driven and all business (which is not always fun). When I’m friend in Group A I’m supportive and considerate. When I’m friend in Group B I’m over the top and full of life.  When I’m girlfriend I’m accommodating and often make sacrifices in lieu of what’s best for me (which never pans out).

Sometimes we’re so concerned with playing our roles, as we see them (because of expectations or judgements from the outside world), that we lose touch with the essence of who we are.

So this week’s Adventure Challenge includes identifying your authentic self – pin pointing the traits and characteristics that exemplify who you are at your core – no matter who you’re surrounded by or what role you’re playing.

And how to bring THAT version of you into every aspect of your life.

Here are a few ideas to help:

• Think of something you love to do that makes you VERY HAPPY! Where you feel in your element and alive! Almost lost in the experience. Exuding joy.
• If you’re struggling to come up with something current, think back to your childhood your childhood memories.
• Look to somebody you admire or a scene from movie that made you want to get up and cheer. What is the trait or quality that inspired you? Whatever you admire in them is also in you (or it wouldn’t resonate with you).
• Listen to some music, and find a song that makes you want to get up and dance!

Once you’ve identified your authentic trait(s) or characteristic(s), choose a word or phrase (or song title), as I suggested at the end of today’s blog, that personifies what it feels like to embrace your true self.

Mine is “On fire!”  (Song Choice: This Girl is on Fire  by Alicia Keys)

Whether I’m working, racing, parenting, writing, or hanging with a friend. if I’m being authentic and bringing my full self to the experience, I feel ON FIRE!

Ask yourself, whatever role you’re playing in any given moment, do I feel (insert your word or phrase here) right now?

If not, you’re out of alignment with who you are on this earth to be.

And who you are here to be matters.

No other person ever has or ever will have the unique blend of talents, strengths & perspective that you have. – Marie Forleo

Now share your uniqueness!

Pay attention this week to when you feel on fire, and when you feel you are hiding or compromising yourself in a role. Ask yourself why? Practice identifying and bringing your full self (using the energy of your word or phrase) to all areas of your life.

Remember to record you’re experiences and realizations in your TAL 52 Week Adventure Journal.  It’s your one stop shop to recall what tips and tools worked and to see how far you’ve come on your journey!