Why Your Story Matters to Me...

And why you haven’t heard from me in a while…

YOU are the only one who has lived YOUR story. Funny. Touching. Bold. Subtle. Silly. Intense. It’s likely your story holds a sprinkling of all those qualities. None of us is all one thing.

Just recently, I stepped away from my work and monthly newsletter for a bit as I needed to be with my son away at college. He is fully recovered from a foot injury that required a complicated surgery followed by a stressful time of complete bed rest. We are all relieved here in our house.

With this break in my work, came time to double down on the business side of my business…revising my website (let me know what you think,) getting some advice on marketing, and growing my 1-to-1, team, and guest speaker trainings…it’s still all about what you say and how you say it in a way that resonates with your audience.

I hope you find a moment to share some of your stories with friends or family over the winter holidays. And I hope you find a moment to encourage someone to share a bit of theirs.

Stories connect to our emotions. Our emotions connect us to each other. Just ask any of my kids who catch me teary eyed when they share a post of a giggling baby, a squirming puppy, or someone coming home for the holidays… “Mom, that’s supposed to be funny, why are you crying?!” I am all in when it comes to stories. It’s a thing with me.

 Thank you for being part of MY story as I continue to grow Center Stage Connections. I cannot do this work without people like you.

Stories connect us. At work. At home. In life.

Warm wishes to you and your loved ones,

 Julie

Find Your Tightrope

What does walking a tightrope have to do with telling your business story?

Completing a walk across a tightrope was a requirement before completing my MFA in Acting. 

Required, not because our department head wanted his students to be more marketable as future circus performers. He believed the act of staying on a tightrope, from beginning to end, was analogous to what is required of our mind and body to be on stage. Staying on a tightrope has less to do with athleticism or grace, and more to do with mindset. Being present. Moment by moment. Step by step. Always moving forward.

I learned a valuable lesson over those months of tightrope class. The second I thought of what I was going to have for lunch, recalled an earlier conversation that had left me unsettled, glanced away from the end of the rope, or allowed even a smidge of doubt to enter my mind, I would fall off that rope. Every. Time.

I fell off a lot. A whole lot. But one of the class rules was if you fell off, your turn wasn’t over. You got right back on. Before you could dwell on why you fell off. Just get back on. Find the courage. Be Present. Move forward. Step by step. Moment by moment.

The mind/body experience of walking a tightrope remains with me today in my work at Center Stage Connections, as I support, encourage, and guide others to move their story forward—whether in the form of a high-stakes presentation, a grueling interview process, or team building and messaging. Moving your story forward is not always easy. Internal and external challenges will be there.

If you or your team have fallen off your tightrope, I have many tools and techniques to get you moving forward with focus, presence, courage, intention, and boldness for the business stage.

Lead with curiosity to bring your team together…

Table work.

Table work happens long before the curtain call.

Audiences (clients and customers)never see the table work, but they can feel it...if everyone has done the work.

In the first few days of rehearsal with a new script, writers, actors, directors, designers, and staff come together for “table work.” It’s just that, sitting around a table before we get up on our feet. Each person brings their perspective, thoughts, ideas, and we begin to hash out the story we are going to tell. Together. The room practically vibrates with energy and anticipation. Table work is where the magic starts to happen.

As we continue to navigate change in the workplace, there are likely new people, new roles, or new leadership at the virtual table for those team meetings aka table work. Many colleagues and clients are carrying heaps of differing thoughts, feelings, and perspectives into a new environment. Lots of changes. Lots of opportunities for the magic to happen.

When you choose curiosity about another person’s point of view, you bring presence and empathy into the room and give permission for others to bring authenticity to the table. Curiosity, Presence, Authenticity, and Empathy build Connection. Connection builds teams. Connected teams are a magical formidable force in the business world.

What are you bringing to the table to create Connection?

My favorite text of this day. 

One of my college essay students sent me a text: “Julie, I got In!”

With her smarts and spirit she is going to make an incredible nurse.

I believe everyone has a story to tell.  Stories connect us to each other.  Stories have the power to transform our world.

Sometimes we all need a little help with #clarity so our story and message stand out in a sea of applicants.

I volunteer my time as a college essay writing mentor with Achieve Foundation of South Orange & Maplewood for MAC (Minority Achievement Scholars) at my teenagers high school. Because we can't just say we're an #ally.  We need to show we're an #ally.

If you know anything about #collegeadmissions you know that differentiating yourself and what you bring to the table is essential.  Just like in the business world.   

I love what I do at Center Stage Connections.

This text made my day.  

#collegeapplications #business #storytelling #writing #allyship