What’s Your Story?

Most, if not all people have the hope that they would spend their time doing work that they are passionate about and love. Professionals in mental health or human services may pursue work in their respective fields because they love working with and helping others.  Some could also be motivated by their own experiences, including personal identification with the mental, emotional, and/or physical challenges they themselves or loved ones have lived through, and desire to share their insights or give back in response to how they or someone they knew was supported.  

When you think about your life, what would you say are the experiences that have shaped your work? How is your work representative of your experiences, as well as your interests, passions, skills/abilities, and values? Overall, what does your experiences/work say about you? What is the message that you convey? Likewise, what do people think of when they think of you and/or your work? Is this representative of your message?   

Your story tells others about you and your experiences, interests/passions, challenges, successes, and overall, what makes you unique. Your story is very powerful.  Oftentimes though, we don’t think of the impact of our stories on others. What can someone else learn from your story? How can your story help others? Another component of stories that is very important to keep in mind is the use of stories as a vehicle to share your message – what you want people to know about you, your mission/vision, and business and/or services, as well as challenges and successes.   

My focus and interest in mental health is fueled by my compassion for the healing and growth of others and my desire to see professionals and organizations convey healthy messages in words and actions.

Think about your story and message. Also, recall the questions I shared at the beginning of this writing. Additionally, consider how you can ensure that your story and your message is clear and consistent.  

Tell me more about your story. I would love to read your message. 

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share a comment or reach out if you’d like to connect, have questions, or are interested in partnering. 

Healthy Messages™ helps professionals, leaders, and business owners in human services improve, craft, and implement communication within and across systems. 

Learn more about Healthy Messages™ mission, vision, and outcomes.

Fulfilling Your Purpose in Leadership

What drives you in your role as a leader? What draws you to the area of service you are in? People in helping professions, including mental health, are drawn largely to helping other people. They want to help people learn new information, heal and grow, and/or move forward in aspects of their life, to name a few possible motivations. For some, this is due to their personal experiences, either in relating to the challenges of the individuals being served or the challenges of loved ones. For some, they are drawn by their interests as related to fulfilling a need, use of skills, gifts, and abilities, and/or values. Or people are drawn by a combination of experiences and interests. As a leader, you have a unique opportunity to steward not only what motivates you in the work that you are doing but that which motivates members of your team.

Take a minute to think about what drives you in the work you are doing. As well, what draws people to you as a leader and the services or supports you are helping to offer? Are these purposes consistent? For instance, is the need you are hoping to meet consistent with the needs people have? Identifying this match is the first step towards fulfilling your purpose in a way that creates meaningful change. In addition to addressing their needs, are there other reasons that people look to you? What do people say about their experiences? What messages do you convey in words and actions? While what motivates leaders in their role/area of service may differ, the goal is the same - to make a positive impact on the lives of others and to add value. How are you fulfilling your purpose as a leader? 

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share a comment or reach out if you’d like to connect, have questions, or are interested in partnering. 

Healthy Messages™ helps professionals, leaders, and business owners in human services improve, craft, and implement communication within and across systems. 

Learn more about Healthy Messages™ mission, vision, and outcomes.