What’s up, turkey!
Last week, I found myself caught in a familiar tug-of-war. One part of me—the “manager”—was focused on ticking boxes, driving forward, and keeping the wheels turning. You know, #hustle #productivity. The other part—the “monk”—was saying, “Slow down, step back, let clarity find you.”
Cue the hamster wheel: busy, but stuck questioning, does this movement actually mean progress?
If you’ve felt this tension between action and reflection—especially in times of uncertainty—welcome to the club. It’s a place where leaders often get stuck, spinning between what’s urgent and what’s meaningful. And the truth is, I coach others through this exact challenge all the time. Funny how we sometimes miss our own advice.
Then it hit me: What if the answer lies in the story we’re stuck in?
Pause for a second.
What’s the story you’re telling yourself about your challenge? When I work with clients, this is where we start—capturing the story behind the struggle. Writing it down, especially with pen and paper, often sparks a clarity that feels like clearing a dense jungle trail.
But first, let’s talk turkey. 🦃
This week, as we gather to give thanks, here’s a thought: Every Thanksgiving dinner is like a story in itself—full of characters (hello, opinionated uncle), challenges (getting the timing right on all the dishes), and rewards (pumpkin pie, anyone?).
Much like a good story, Thanksgiving is about pausing to reflect. Where have you been this year? What challenges have shaped your journey? What small wins are you thankful for? These moments of gratitude often help us find clarity and perspective, even in the busiest seasons.
So, before diving into the mashed potatoes, take a moment to capture the story of your year. What are you most thankful for? What’s one challenge that taught you something meaningful? Sometimes, the act of writing it down can reveal new paths forward.
Now, back to busyness! I mean business.
1. Start With Where You Are
What’s the real struggle you’re facing?
It might sound simple, but getting brutally honest about where you are right now is critical. Are you “managing” like crazy but unsure it’s the right direction? Or are you waiting for inspiration to strike, hesitant to move forward? What’s keeping you up at night?
Here’s an example:
I worked with a client whose business had hit a wall. They’d been adapting their services to “keep the money coming,” but they started to hate the work. It was draining their energy and pulling them away from their vision. Sound familiar?
When you write this down—messy thoughts and all—it becomes easier to see the tension in your story. It’s often the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
2. Name the Call to Action
Why does this matter, and what’s at stake if you don’t act?
Every great story has a moment when the hero is pushed to act, but almost always, they resist at first. That’s because moving forward feels risky. The key here is to understand what you’re avoiding and why it’s urgent to act anyway.
For my client, the hesitation was fear:
- What if they tried something new and it didn’t work?
- What if they ran out of money?
But the stakes were clear. If they didn’t shift, they’d burn out—and fast. Once we reframed the story, they saw the risk of staying stuck was greater than the risk of change. That clarity gave them the push they needed to act.
Gratitude Break: A Quick Turkey List 🦃
Before we dive into the final step, here’s a challenge for you: Write down three things you’re grateful for right now. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. For me, it’s:
- The clients who trusted me to reshape their messaging (and put it into action fast).
- The magic of a well-baked sourdough loaf. (My “mother” is going strong after over 10 years! )
- Every one of you who reads and replies to this newsletter. Seriously, you make my day.
3. Envision What’s Next
What does success look like for you?
This is where you move beyond “survival mode.” Instead of just solving today’s problem, imagine the bigger picture. What does the other side of your challenge look like? More importantly, how does it feel?
For my client, success wasn’t about “more clients” or even “higher revenue.” Their vision was about working with fewer clients they loved—so they could deliver better results and fall back in love with their business. Once they wrote this down, their next steps became obvious. They had a clear direction.
Why Storytelling Works
When you frame your challenges as a story, something powerful happens. You pull back—like the monk—to understand the bigger picture, then lean in—like the manager—to take purposeful action. It’s like turning on the lights in a dark room.
And the best part? This doesn’t just work for personal dilemmas. I’ve used this process with teams to build alignment, with businesses to clarify their strategy, and even to help leaders reconnect with their “why.”
So, grab your pen and paper. Ask yourself:
- Where are you now?
- What’s creating tension or resistance?
- Why is it urgent to act?
- And what’s the next step you can take?
If you’ve made it this far, I’d love to hear your story. What’s pulling you in two directions? Where are you trying to find clarity? Sometimes, just sharing it is the first step forward.
Until next time, gobble gobble and be careful with that turkey torpor.
Ready to dig deeper into your story—or your team’s? Let’s talk about how storytelling workshops or coaching can help you find clarity and alignment. Contact us!
Thanks for reading to the end. And as always, hit reply and say hey, and I’ll respond. 🙂
Warm regards. Until next time.
Ginger, CEO at Motive3.com
