Say what you mean,
mean what you say.
Dear Words,
Why are you so hard to find when we need you most?
You're amazing at helping to express love, fear, frustration, excitement, concern, grief and so much more. You have a very important job which is why I'm here.
Basically everyone I know, work with, coach and observe lately is having the same challenge — conveying our complex, layered feelings and ideas. Literally finding words is the issue.
Some recent examples:
Someone I coach has been struggling to voice frustration and needs to someone who isn't pulling their weight.
Someone else wants to courageously step forward in new ways despite staying behind the scenes most of their life.
In a facilitation I observed someone saying so many words but few had to do with what we were actually talking about.
I was personally reminded I'm not for everyone which made me go quiet even though I have things I want to say.
Words, you are our closest confidant. You know everything we've ever thought, written and said.
We need you when we're feeling flustered, small and hurt instead of falling out of our brains.
What's it going to take to find your way to our tongues with honest, courageous responses when we need them most?
Asking for all of us,
Annie
Two strategies I believe will help us each be better communicators and humans.
Say what you mean. Even if it's hard. Even if it's messy.
When you say what you mean, you are:
Practicing courage
Telling your truth
Embodying transparency
In other words, you're willing to get uncomfortable and speak up.
When you say what you mean, you're cultivating trust and sending out a beacon for the people who need you.
When you say what you mean, you're planting seeds for reciprocal exchanges with others — I'll say what I mean if you will.
Communicating with courage, truth and transparency is indicative of care, I think.
Mean what you say. Half truths are half lies.
When you mean what you say, you are:
Radicalizing honesty
Embracing your personal power
Opening doors for critical conversations
In other words, you're in integrity.
I believe this is what we need most as we navigate conflict, growth and healing.
When you mean what you say it signals respect for the recipients. It also indicates good leadership.
Instead of telling half truths, sugar-coating or beating around the bush, what if you found the words to say what you actually mean? Even if it's hard. Even if it's messy.
Food for thought
What do you need to say?
What will help you say it?
May you find the words you're looking for next time you communicate with someone.
This season.
Advanced coaching is about moving forward. I have space for 2 people — hit reply to explore or find time to talk here.
Alternatively, I designed gentle coaching for smaller budgets without skimping on support. I can be in your back pocket starting today.
Next year.
In 2025 I'm going to host a magnificent retreat for people who are coming out of the shadows as artists. That nagging you have to write that book or paint that mural or design that product — this is for you.
Meditation Curious?
My beloved client and friend, Kelly Schwartz, founded a beautiful nonprofit meditation community before online meditation communities were a thing.
Their annual Meditation Immersion starts this week and is ideal for people who want to develop a consistent practice.
3 months, 300 hours, virtual
September was about art, nature and renewal for me:
Yeah, I got bangs. 🤓
p.s. Watercolor peeps — what's your favorite brand of paint? I ended up with a gross, chalky ol' thing after HOURS of work.
p.p.s. If you love writing and/or books, listen to this great podcast with Kiese Laymon (and read his book Heavy) and Deesha Philyaw (her book The Secret Lives of Church Ladies has been in my cart forever, gonna get to it this winter.)
Thank you for being here!! 🙏🏽🩷✨
🍉
I spend lots of time dreaming about the world I want to live in. Thank you for choosing to be part of my little corner.
Whether you're an executive, emerging leader, seasoned entrepreneur or budding business owner, I'm grateful you're here.
If what I shared moved you in some way or you just want to say hey, I'd love to hear from you. Email me anytime
Find me on Instagram (for now), LinkedIn, BlueSky (new) and YouTube (getting back soon).
