One of the most common objections I hear when I discuss visibility on Facebook with my potential clients is that they feel they are “very private’ and they do not want to use their personal profiles to build their positioning as an expert. However, as an introvert and a pretty private person myself, I can see clearly what is really holding them back. It is not the fact that by being visible they lose any of their privacy. Not at all. You can share your views, opinions, expertise without revealing anything private and intimate about yourself if you choose. All depends on what you do, who you help and how exactly.
If you are a coach or a healer, especially if you work with other people’s limitations and inner blocks, then your journey is the most powerful tool you have to show those who need you that you get what they are experiencing right now and you know the way out.
So the reason that you are afraid to show up with those stories is not being “private” or an introvert. It has much more to do with you not feeling good enough about yourself to share those stories. You being afraid to be called something unpleasant, or even worth, your integrity questioned publically. You not allowing yourself to be who you are.
Visibility is a journey of personal growth and empowerment much more than content planners and post types. And to be visible to those in need of help, one must start from putting themselves first and accepting themselves, allowing themselves to be just the amazing human being they have grown to be so far. No regrets, no fear of past mistakes and failures.
What’s done is done and you are free to take any direction you want, RIGHT NOW!
When I started my own online visibility journey, my husband just got diagnosed with stage 4 Cancer and, trust me, there were a thousand and one reasons not to do it. Not to become active on Facebook, and focus on creating relationships with multiple strangers while my other half was battling for his life in the hospital. Sounds awful, doesn’t it?
But it was the best thing I have ever done in my entire life. I allowed myself to be me, since there is literally nothing I could do to help my husband in his battle. It was his battle and I was there as much as it was physically and logistically possible, but that was just it. I had no control over him fighting the disease. So I put myself first. I needed to be strong. I needed to be focused, I needed to be the one that makes dreams come true. Perhaps not overnight, but I knew I must do what it takes so we can enjoy the life after Cancer in a much better way than before.
I made a decision that it is ok to be me. To make decisions based on ME. To focus on things that make me happier and more fulfilled – helping people being more visible online and using online technologies to free their time and headspace for being MORE and having MORE. More time with their families. More love for themselves. More care for their purpose on this planet.
My natural ability to become seen and my natural gifts with using online technology have turned out to be the perfect match to ladies who struggle in those areas, while having so much talent, gifts and skills to share with the world, it is a crime for them to stay small!
What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. Not only my husband has come out of his battle on a winning side, our relationships improved, our life is happier and our relationships are closer than ever before. Not just that. I am running a business that is completely transformed from supporting local businesses, with pretty much anything I could, to a clearly defined visibility strategies coaching business with an international clientele and even my own Visibility Show!
In fact this month I am finishing work with the last of my “old life’ clients and this means I have also become location free and can travel and work from anywhere I choose. I am location and financially free. My daughter is starting the second year of college and the moment when I can truly take advantage of this freedom and start traveling is now approaching faster than ever before. In fact, we are already “window-shopping” for our next country of residence. Something 2 years ago was just a dream without any solid hope to achieve.
And it all started with the decision that it was ok to be me. To think independently, to accept past mistakes, to take full responsibility for my life. To realise I am on my way towards empowerment. And it has been an enlightening journey indeed.
If you know deep down that you must step into the light and get more visible online, don’t listen to the voice that says you cannot use your personal profile and share your stories publically because you are “private”.
Stop and think about this – are you allowing yourself to be you? Do you really think it is ok to be you? Do you feel love, freedom, and support when you think about yourself?
THIS is the journey that comes in hand with the decision to become more visible online. Take it and you are guaranteed to experience some eye-opening and thought-provoking moments. You will be astounded by what you can achieve and what you are capable of. And perhaps getting there seems overwhelming, but I can take you through the simple easy steps that get you there. All you need is to commit to taking those steps. Then watch the magic happen – starting from within!
Originally published at juliettestapleton.com