Do you feel a calling to make a change in your life? Maybe you’re ready to take a relationship to the next level. Perhaps it’s time to go back to school. Or maybe you’re finally going to take the plunge and open your own business.
So, how do you know that CALLING is right? Perhaps you feel it deep inside. Or maybe a friend speaks words you need to hear. Either way, building TRUST in your life will help guide you forward.
In 2017, public speaker and life coach Melissa Bird was just finishing up her PhD in social work. As a former lobbyist, Melissa knew her degree was the right call. She had a new career as a coach when she received a phone call from a friend while riding in the back of a Lyft.
Her friend had walked out of a meeting at her own job to tell Melissa she needed to form a company called Natural Born Rebel. She also told her she needed to write a book with the same name. She wasn’t sure how to respond, when suddenly her Lyft driver, who had overheard the conversation, told her she should listen to her friend. The entire experience was so incredibly random, so surreal, so she decided to do exactly as her friend instructed.
Through one act of TRUST, Melissa built a brand. She now KNOWS the importance of building TRUST in your life and believes there are 4 ways to get started.
- KNOW WHEN TO LISTEN
When Melissa listened to her friend and started Natural Born Rebel, her career ACCELERATED in every way. She took on more clients, published books, and was invited to speak around the country.
Sometimes, you need to stop and LISTEN. Look for MOMENTS you couldn’t have possibly created yourself. Who is speaking? What are they saying? If it RESONATES in a POWERFUL way, it’s time to LISTEN.
- LEAN IN TO YOUR INTUITION
After learning to LISTEN, it’s important to LEAN IN to your INTUITION.
Melissa knows her INTUITION is leading her on the right path when she’s “Terricited.” It’s a term a friend of hers shared for when she feels part terrified and part excited.
Pay attention to what your gut, your INSTINCT, is telling you. If things feel too frenzied or chaotic it’s probably not right. But if it’s that mix of scared and good, it’s probably your INTUITION telling you to go for it.
- STOP PUSHING
It’s okay if you don’t know what’s next and you feel STUCK. After all, what you RESIST tends to PERSIST.
Melissa likes to remind herself of what it’s like watching a small child learn to swim. The instructor often has them stretch their arms and legs and OPEN UP like a starfish to get comfortable in the water, to FLOAT first. They aren’t going anywhere yet, and that’s OKAY.
Learn to stop PUSHING so hard. Instead, OPEN UP and REALIGN. This will help you open your heart to receive more of the DIRECTION your life is meant to go.
- KNOW YOUR VILLAGE
In order to make your GOAL a REALITY, take time to discover what you’re good at and what you’re not. This begins when you give up the idea that you know what you’re doing. When you let go of total CONTROL, things will open up and start to FLOW.
Once you do so, get to know your VILLAGE. Find the people that will help you with you where you need it and let go of the ones that are holding you back.
ADMIT to your village that you don’t always know what you’re doing. By showing VULNERABILITY, everything changes. Your personal relationships, your client relationships, and those in your network will benefit and they’ll help you move FORWARD.
Melissa’s brand is proof that building TRUST can bring SUCCESS. The fact is our lives – both personal and professional – are fluid. What works now may not work going forward. What we need may change over time.
Build TRUST in your life today and you’ll have more confidence to take the next STEP towards the change you’ve been dreaming about – and every step after that.