409 Expanding Your Comfort Zone
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on how she has expanded her comfort zone by stepping into what she calls the “stretch zone”, where you aren’t entirely comfortable yet but willing to try just so that you can see what you’re made of. If we never stretch our wings, we’ll be trapped in the nest forever, so have faith in yourself, step into your stretch zone, and see how far it can take you.
409 Expanding Your Comfort Zone
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins shares her thoughts on how she has expanded her comfort zone by stepping into what she calls the “stretch zone”, where you aren’t entirely comfortable yet but willing to try just so that you can see what you’re made of. If we never stretch our wings, we’ll be trapped in the nest forever, so have faith in yourself, step into your stretch zone, and see how far it can take you.
Highlights
Telling stories to connect with another, not to change their mind.
Taking time to calibrate yourself and find inner peace.
Turning your stretch zone into your comfort zone, one step at a time.
Quotes
“The stories we share influence how we’re perceived, and even when a listener isn’t consciously aware they’re picking up signals about who we are and whether we can be trusted.”
“To be comfortable with discomfort we have to embrace and define what our comfort zone looks like, and how it feels.”
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
397 Our Talents Are For Us Too
When you first take the Strengths Finder quiz, we often feel like those skills and talents are what you can use to guide and influence others, however if we forget to take time for ourselves, to turn our talents inward and focus on ourselves, we are failing ourselves by not acknowledging what we bring to the table.
In today's episode Sarah Elkins and Lindsey Van Gorp discuss the importance of introspection, fostering and growing our strengths, as well as how we need to wield our talents and skills in order to be the best version of ourselves, not just for others but for ourselves so that we may feel fulfilled in our lives.
397 Our Talents Are For Us Too
When you first take the Strengths Finder quiz, we often feel like those skills and talents are what you can use to guide and influence others, however if we forget to take time for ourselves, to turn our talents inward and focus on ourselves, we are failing ourselves by not acknowledging what we bring to the table.
In today's episode Sarah Elkins and Lindsey Van Gorp discuss the importance of introspection, fostering and growing our strengths, as well as how we need to wield our talents and skills in order to be the best version of ourselves, not just for others but for ourselves so that we may feel fulfilled in our lives.
Highlights
Have you ever done anything out of character for the sake of someone else?
Are you direct in your communication or do you soften the edges of your words?
Recognizing the innate strengths in everyone and how that builds community when you’re aware of it.
Do you use your talents solely for those around you or are you using them more introspectively to best show up for yourself?
Quotes
“Clear is kind, I think that’s a thing I’m trying to learn and use more effectively. Because you’re right, I have these strengths that make me a happy, sometimes soft person when it comes to my communication, and I’m learning to remind myself that it’s actually far more kind to the person I’m communicating with if I am direct and clear in my communication instead of softening the edges of what I’m trying to get at.”
“Once you’re aware of it, you see it everywhere.”
“I think mine is a combination of all of mine, I looked at the strengths as how they impact others; Like how does this show up for everyone around me? And I had spent less time thinking about how do they show up for myself? And even just that mindset shift of it’s not always about how you can influence or impact those around you through them, but how am I using them towards myself?”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Even without using a tool or assessment like Strengths Finder, what questions can you ask people around you, the ones you clearly think differently from, what questions can you ask to get to the heart of why they do what they do and how they do it. Because when you can understand the language, you don’t need to change who you are but you do need to learn a little bit of how to speak it.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Lindsey
Lindsey Van Gorp is the Brand Experience Manager at Vermeer Heartland, focusing her time and attention on enhancing the employee and customer experience. She has a passion for people and seeing them reach their full potential by recognizing their natural gifts and abilities.
Be sure to check out Lindsey’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as Vermeer Heartland!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
385 Beacons of Fellowship
In a world so full of division, strife, and polarization, it can be easy to get caught up in the chaos of which path to follow. Which is why it is vital to put your own voice out there, not just to speak up for your beliefs, but so that those who you support and care for will know you are right beside them in this fight. In a world so obsessed with hate, there is no more powerful weapon than love and community.
In today’s episode, Sarah Elkins uses the art of storytelling to tell us what truly matters to her while also weaving tales of her success and strengths, as well as speaking of what truly matters to her.
385 Beacons of Fellowship
In a world so full of division, strife, and polarization, it can be easy to get caught up in the chaos of which path to follow. Which is why it is vital to put your own voice out there, not just to speak up for your beliefs, but so that those who you support and care for will know you are right beside them in this fight. In a world so obsessed with hate, there is no more powerful weapon than love and community.
In today’s episode, Sarah Elkins uses the art of storytelling to tell us what truly matters to her while also weaving tales of her success and strengths, as well as speaking of what truly matters to her.
Highlights
Applying skills found in the workplace to the home, and vice versa.
Standing for what you believe will make enemies, but it will also give others the strength to follow you.
How do you want to show up in the world? How can you make your signals be in alignment with your beliefs.
Quotes
“Every story we share has the potential to shape how we experience ourselves, and how other people perceive us.”
“Through a combination of curiosity and intention, I started to build a community that was far more diverse. Not for the sake of diversity, but for the sake of inclusion, personal growth, and love.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
If you’re willing to look in the mirror and really consider how you want to be experienced by the community around you, what will you do to ensure that you are signaling those values in everything you do? What decision will you make today to stop contributing to the polarization and start reconnecting with those you care about?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
383 Your True Enemy Is Self-Doubt
Our internal messages shape who we are, whether they be positive or negative messages, shape who we are and how we carry ourselves through life, which is why it is so vital to stop and reflect on our messages and the input from those around us. We can learn alot from our personal board of directors, they encourage and guide us with their own personal experiences allowing us to grow, including when their input is critical.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins dwells on the importance of the words her own personal board has given her, the experiences that she has grown from, and how her professional and personal life have been shaped and allowed her to become the coaching powerhouse she is today.
383 Your True Enemy Is Self-Doubt
Our internal messages shape who we are, whether they be positive or negative messages, shape who we are and how we carry ourselves through life, which is why it is so vital to stop and reflect on our messages and the input from those around us. We can learn alot from our personal board of directors, they encourage and guide us with their own personal experiences allowing us to grow, including when their input is critical.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins dwells on the importance of the words her own personal board has given her, the experiences that she has grown from, and how her professional and personal life have been shaped and allowed her to become the coaching powerhouse she is today.
Highlights
Professional Storytelling
Building each other up by practicing what we teach.
How our friends inspire us.
What experiences in your past contributed to your internal messages?
Quotes
“Every professional benefits when they can share a story that demonstrates their character, their skills, and their vision.”
“I can no longer allow distant periods of discomfort and whatever caused them, reign over who I am.”
“I was acutely self conscious about my outfit, my voice, even my facial expressions and the way my body, arms, and hands moved as I sang. It has taken me years to let go of my fear of embarrassment, my fear of judgement. I really hope it doesn’t take you nearly as long. Or if you’re my age or older, that you’re learning this lesson now so you don’t bring regret into your later years.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
If you have something in your head that you really want to do, I urge you to take action right away. As May West said; “I only regret the things I didn’t do.”
Here are a few steps that I take when I’m working on something that feels new and maybe a little scary: I tell my closest friends what I want to do knowing they’re going to ask how they can help and they’ll keep me accountable. They’ll ask me the hard questions to make sure I stay clear about what I’m doing and why. I use a strategy my friend and business coach Nettie Owens taught me. I schedule 15 minutes every weekday to focus on that one thing, it’s on my calendar. Those 15 minute focus times show up at different parts of my day, not the same time every day. I’m very intentional with what I do with advice, criticism, and ideas I hear from others, especially if they’ve never done what I’m trying to do. I listen because sometimes a comment, even one that feels insulting, hurtful, or maybe even wrong, can be a catalyst toward improvement and success. Whatever it is you’re challenging yourself with my friends, I would love to hear about it, and to support you as you’re leaping out of your comfort zone.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
380 Breaking Cycles
We are hardwired to remember the stories that are far more painful and life altering, than the happier stories we lived. Perhaps it is our survival instincts or it is just easier to remember the bad, regardless it is important to sit back and truly think about how we frame our narratives using these experiences and decide for ourselves that this story is one we want to change.
In todays episode, Sarah Elkins and Erin Weninger discuss the cycles both of them have lived as women, business owners, and parents, and the difficulty that came with acknowledging and changing the destructive patterns in our lives
380 Breaking Cycles
We are hardwired to remember the stories that are far more painful and life altering, than the happier stories we lived. Perhaps it is our survival instincts or it is just easier to remember the bad, regardless it is important to sit back and truly think about how we frame our narratives using these experiences and decide for ourselves that this story is one we want to change.
In todays episode, Sarah Elkins and Erin Weninger discuss the cycles both of them have lived as women, business owners, and parents, and the difficulty that came with acknowledging and changing the destructive patterns in our lives
Highlights
You can do what is best for you, you only need to find the courage to reach out.
Everyone’s narrative is different, but you need to know personally when that narrative is false and harmful to you.
What lengths will you go to in order to defend your narrative? Is it really a narrative worth defending?
Be adult enough to acknowledge when you fail, apologize, work towards being better, and take accountability. It’s not the end of the world to admit when you are in the wrong.
Quotes
“I really needed that second falling out with my mom to have that feeling of; “Wow she really will go to extreme extents for self preservation at the expense of anybody else she might care about and love.”.”
“It doesn’t have to be an atom bomb to me just because I accept fault.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
You’ve already been asked a few questions. Think about how you’re modeling the behavior you want to see in the people around you. If you’re a parent, what are your relationship issues with your parents that may be contributing to relationship challenges with your children? Are you taking time to look at those patterns and maybe be honest with your kids about what you’re experiencing as a parent. And last but not least, I would love to hear your thoughts on Erin’s story, and how and why she should share it. If you believe that her words can be inspiring to others, I would love to hear from you.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Erin
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
377 The Art of Storytelling: A Controlled Burn in The Forest Of Life
Throughout life we have a tendency to collect things, whether they be stories, memories, or physical objects, and more often than not we cling to these things despite them no longer serving us in any meaningful capacity. Which is why it is important to sit back, look at your hoard and realize you are not a dragon who must keep every single piece of scrap. You can thank the item, story, or memory and leave it behind so that you can open up to new possibilities and new meaningful things to put in your life.
In todays episode Sarah Elkins educates us on the importance of controlled burns in the national parks of the west, as well as the importance of our own “controlled burns” to clear away the clutter and make way for new, healthy growth in our lives.
377 The Art of Storytelling: A Controlled Burn in The Forest Of Life
Throughout life we have a tendency to collect things, whether they be stories, memories, or physical objects, and more often than not we cling to these things despite them no longer serving us in any meaningful capacity. Which is why it is important to sit back, look at your hoard and realize you are not a dragon who must keep every single piece of scrap. You can thank the item, story, or memory and leave it behind so that you can open up to new possibilities and new meaningful things to put in your life.
In todays episode Sarah Elkins educates us on the importance of controlled burns in the national parks of the west, as well as the importance of our own “controlled burns” to clear away the clutter and make way for new, healthy growth in our lives.
Highlights
Protecting our future and our communities, means protecting our environment too.
Sometimes you need to shed the dead parts of the past in order to grow.
What strategies can you use to do your own “controlled burn”, to remove the things in your life that no longer serve you in a meaningful way?
Quotes
“Even in my life activities I’m finding I need to shed things like relationships that no longer serve me, relationships that don’t feel reciprocal at all, commitments that feel too obligatory and not meaningful. And work activities that aren't moving the needle for me in income or intrinsic reward.”
“A controlled burn requires research, planning, and a whole lot of patience.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with to much mental and physical clutter it might be time for you to take inventory too. Ask yourself the tough questions on what you truly need and want in your life and your home. And I hope you’ll take the next steps to research and plan and patiently reduce that clutter.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
As I mentioned I am celebrating my five year book-versary, starting today Your Stories Don’t Define You was published May 31, 2020. Starting this podcast was a wakeup call for me, I realized I was coaching my guests in sharing their pivotal moment stories, and they were finding great value in our time together, way beyond any promotional opportunity the podcast was offering. The book is designed to guide readers in collecting and sharing their stories with exercises and worksheets throughout. To celebrate my book-versary, I’m offering to sign and ship copies from Montana to you, and every purchase will include an offer for a 20 minute bullseye story mining session. In 20 minutes we will uncover at least one meaningful story for you to fine tune for you to use in your next interview, team meeting, speaking engagement, networking event, or maybe it’s a date.
I really appreciate your support over the years and this is my way of giving that back.
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
376 The Art of Storytelling: What Makes A Good Leader?
What is it that makes a leader someone worth following? Is it the way they approach problems? Is it how they treat those who follow them or those who don’t? Or is it something more unique to each individual?
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins demonstrates through her art of storytelling how she has led others and helped them to lead in turn, and how important it is to follow a leader who makes you see the best in yourself, and to help others see the best in themselves.
376 The Art of Storytelling: What Makes A Good Leader?
What is it that makes a leader someone worth following? Is it the way they approach problems? Is it how they treat those who follow them or those who don’t? Or is it something more unique to each individual?
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins demonstrates through her art of storytelling how she has led others and helped them to lead in turn, and how important it is to follow a leader who makes you see the best in yourself, and to help others see the best in themselves.
Highlights
Show your qualities through your stories, don’t just tell.
A healthy and powerful work environment is possible when everyone works together and the leader takes steps towards improving their skills.
Being self conscious of your skills and the room you have to improve.
Be confident in your abilities and find a way that is helpful and understanding to help others see them as well. Speak their language if you must.
Quotes
“Why now? Because they’re growing and they don’t want to sacrifice their strong culture of caring for and developing their employees.”
“The fact that you’re asking this question makes you a good leader. The efforts you’ve made over the years to learn, to grow, to develop yourself, your self knowledge that you have room to improve, that’s what makes a good leader.”
“You’ve been using your own tools in your leadership style, not someone else’s and that’s what makes you successful to this point.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
It’s my gift to you; to be your guide in collecting, practicing and sharing your most meaningful stories, so you have the power to choose how your internal messages and your internal dialogue shape your future. So you have the tools to improve communication at work and at home. And so you have the tools to advocate for yourself and others in the form of the most effective communication and connecting authentically with the people around you. Through story.
As I mentioned I am celebrating my five year book-versary, starting today Your Stories Don’t Define You was published May 31, 2020. Starting this podcast was a wakeup call for me, I realized I was coaching my guests in sharing their pivotal moment stories, and they were finding great value in our time together, way beyond any promotional opportunity the podcast was offering. The book is designed to guide readers in collecting and sharing their stories with exercises and worksheets throughout. To celebrate my book-versary, I’m offering to sign and ship copies from Montana to you, and every purchase will include an offer for a 20 minute bullseye story mining session. In 20 minutes we will uncover at least one meaningful story for you to fine tune for you to use in your next interview, team meeting, speaking engagement, networking event, or maybe it’s a date.
I really appreciate your support over the years and this is my way of giving that back.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
Purchase Your Stories Don’t Define You and get your 20 minute session, here!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!