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  • Do You Truly Accept and Understand Your Underlying Personality Traits?

    Do You Truly Accept and Understand Your Underlying Personality Traits?
    2018/06/22
    Many people wish they were different. They compare themselves with others and think that life would be better if only they had their traits, gifts, and confidence. They struggle to accept their nature, and in so doing fail to enjoy everything their uniqueness brings. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman Think about it for a second. What the world needs is for you to conform to its own needs. It needs you to buy the stuff it says you need. It needs you to be predictable. What the world needs is for you to fit in and be like everyone else. In other words, it needs you to rely on the stuff it paints as important, and neglect the stuff that actually matters to you. Perhaps this is better described as what the world "wants". Because as Thurman says, what the world actually "needs" is people who have come alive. A world of people who have come alive is a world of love, creativity, and acceptance. It's a world where people live at peace with themselves, and in full acceptance of the aliveness of everyone else. Stop asking what the world wants from you. Forget trying to change in order to fit in better. Look at what brings you joy, and accept those parts of yourself. What brings you to a place of flow? Do those things and the wants, comparisons, envy, and unhealthy competitiveness will naturally drain away. In this episode of the podcast we look at these ideas in more depth. We examine the first of three disciplines that come from Stoic Philosophy, which is a great help to us as we think about how to thrive as introverts and sensitive types in the modern world. How can you accept who you are? We consider the Big 5 Personality Traits, and what they can teach us about how who we are is both fixed and flexible. By accepting what is fixed, we are able to develop our temperamental flexibility. I share why personality is like a bead on a rubber band. It's my hope that by the end of the episode you will see that you have more control over your personality than you might otherwise think.
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    34 分
  • The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Still Has a Lot to Teach Us (a chat with Bo Miller)

    The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Still Has a Lot to Teach Us (a chat with Bo Miller)
    2018/04/01
    You may well be familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. It's one of the most recognised and used personality tests in the world. It is based on the psychological theory of Carl Jung along with Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers. In this week's podcast I chat with Bo Miller, who is an author, blogger, podcaster, introvert, and certified Myers-Briggs practitioner. He helps people identify and maximise their unique gifts through his website, iSpeakPeople. It's a site for INFJs (a Myers-Briggs personality type). However, Bo publishes great stuff for introverts of all colours. You can download his free ebook, The INFJ Personality Guide, which is a fantastically in depth look at life as an INFJ. Criticisms of The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator I loved talking to Bo about the MBTI, and its use in our lives. Over the years of working with introverts and sensitive types I have come across various critics of the test. It was lovely to talk with Bo though, who recognises that while it is not perfect, it carries a huge amount of value. It helps us better understand ourselves, others, and maximise our own impact on the world. Escaping Tribalism and Reductionistic Language Conversations about introversion can be deterministic; a pre-determined set of characteristics and values. Introverts have no control over what they are capable of...and what they are incapable of. We are good at building walls around ourselves, using labels to justify the behaviours and attitudes we want to get away with. But this is not helpful, necessary, or healthy. What I love about Bo Miller's approach to this topic is that he sees the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator as a tool we can use to free ourselves. It's not a tool to label and thus restrict our self-understanding, but one to help us better understand who we are and how we can create conditions in our lives for the best way of being. It's important for all of us to embrace this approach. To enjoy the validation of recognising ourselves in a certain personality profile, whether that's as an INFJ. But then to use it as a way to understand ourselves within the context of the richly spiced variety of humanity, of which we are but one small speck. In the interview you will learn: Why the MBTI is still relevant today What it helps us understand about ourselves and other people Why Bo wanted to be a licensed practitioner Bo's favourite kind of resources to create (as a podcaster, writer, YouTube creator etc) What advice Bo would impart to his younger self if he could How Bo balances family, work and business life, without burning out Over to You What did you enjoy about this interview? Has it changed anything in your understanding of yourself as an introvert? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Support the Podcast and get bonus extras:
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    48 分
  • "I Shall Not Be Moved" | Phrase Maze

    "I Shall Not Be Moved" | Phrase Maze
    2024/11/22
    Have you ever been the rebel who refused to move? Would you like to be?
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    1 時間 5 分
  • 75 | Well Worn

    75 | Well Worn
    2024/10/17
    In this episode of The Gentle Rebel Podcast, I crack open the words "Well Worn", our most recent Kota exploration in The Haven. What comes to mind when you hear those words? An established footpath, a threadbare object, or a pair of shoes that have served you well? Thread Bear “Well” can be about health, satisfaction, or abundance. Yet it can also signify something done with care and purpose. “Worn,” on the other hand, evokes the passing of time, established use, and tiredness. It’s about what we put on, what shapes us, and what degrades over time. All of my life, I have been wearing them,the hand-me-downs, the pants too long,arms of sweaters stretched longer than mine,sleeves of shirts I rolled up like newspapers,those shoulders that would never stay in place,always remembering: we are here to fit in. And the very shoes that narrowed on my feet,I gave away or traded up for other people’s soles.I have thought somewhere there must be menwhose socks don’t shrink, whose buttons stay put,whose shirts never wear out at the elbows.I paid for what other people gave away. All of my life I wanted to stand tall,but as I grew up my clothes kept wearing out, whenin my child’s heart, I only wanted the comfort of corduroy,a face that didn’t need ironing, a crease that would stay put—these labels I hoped wouldn’t rub off.—Michael Magee The Key Areas The prompt evoked a bunch of areas to explore in our gathering. I have attempted to touch on as many as I can remember in this episode. It took us in some helpful directions where we were able to think about our relationship with creativity, sensitivity, and the stuff that matters most in life. Wearing The Skin We Are In We talked about how skin can tell a story of our lives through callouses, scars, and the marks of time. We considered how thick skin is earned through persistence and repetition, not something you simply "have". The Beauty of Imperfection I shared my love for how dents, stains, and wear give character to things. They signpost us to memories and stories in ways perfection can't. Well Worn Strength We thought about analogies like sanding down wood, a tree's established tension wood, and knocking in a cricket bat as examples of how wear enhances strength, potential, and longevity. It helps us go further, sustain longer, and refine our abilities. A Well-Worn Punch Life will throw setbacks and surprises our way. What does it mean to wear these punches well? Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve We discussed the meaning of this phrase and whether it's possible to wear your heart on your sleeve well (or poorly). Traditions, Rituals, and Relationships Well-worn habits, rituals, and traditions for individuals, relationships, and communities can help us connect with meaning and creative presence. But they can also grow stale and stagnant. How can we tell the difference? Cliche and Jargon When words are overused, their original meaning can be diluted and impotent. To Repair or Replace We discuss the balance between repairing what we value and knowing when to let go of what’s no longer serving us. Sentimental Value Items we love show the marks of time, love, and use. Their value transcends markets and money. Over to You How do you interpret the phrase "Well Worn"? I'd love to hear from you. If you fancy exploring with other gentle rebels, come and join us in The Haven.
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    51 分
  • 70 | The Fire In Your Belly

    70 | The Fire In Your Belly
    2024/08/09
    Would you say you have fire in your belly? What does it burn for? I love exploring this question with highly sensitive people, many of whom have a deep, smouldering fire within. This fire is often linked to our values, beliefs, and personally compelling principles. I love helping people explore and (re)connect with this inner fire, supporting them to figure out how to harness it in unapologetic ways. In this episode of The Gentle Rebel Podcast, we will consider what this fire looks, feels, and sounds like. We’ll also explore how it can sometimes get extinguished, hidden, or even escalate beyond control. We think about how to fuel, harness, and express our inner fire in ways that resonate with us as individuals. What does it mean to have a fire in your belly, and how can we express it without conforming to others' expectations? As Dorcas Cheng-Tozun said about social justice for the sensitive soul, we don’t have to fit into anyone else's boxes when it comes to expressing ourselves. The fire in everyone’s belly burns differently, and how we process and turn it outwards is equally unique What is The Fire in Your Belly? It's usually a compliment when we say someone has fire in their belly. It speaks to a visible energy, enthusiasm, and sense of purpose that radiates from within. But this phrase doesn’t always account for those whose fire burns deeply and quietly and isn’t as immediately apparent as the big, bright flames we might associate with explicit passion. For highly sensitive people, that inner fire is often potent. Fire In The Belly of Sensitivity If you search for definitions of "fire in the belly," you’ll often find it described as a strong determination to succeed, emotional stamina, and an intense drive to achieve or accomplish something. These definitions highlight a particular kind of fire, focused on personal goals, winning, or attaining power and glory. They don't tell the whole story, especially for those driven by values and principles (how and why) more than outcomes (what) For many sensitive people, the fire in their belly is not about achieving for the sake of achieving. It's not the pursuit of bigger, better, faster, or stronger in a conventional sense. Personal achievements matter, but they are often most compelling when they resonate with a broader purpose or have a meaningful impact on the world around them. Dampening The Belly Fire The fire in our belly can go missing when we seek safe, predictable, and comfortable ways to navigate life. For example, the desire to avoid conflict can cause that fire to dim or even disappear over time. Feeling Too Much For highly sensitive individuals, the inconvenience their passions might cause others can feel too jarring, especially when there’s a perceived incompatibility with others’ views, values, or beliefs. The fear of judgment, criticism, or rejection can be a powerful motivator to keep that fire hidden. Standing up for something we care deeply about can feel risky when it threatens to create friction with those around us. This fear can lead to the suppression of our inner fire, keeping it tucked away where it feels safer but also less alive. The Role of Perfectionism Perfectionism is another factor that can dampen the fire in our belly. When we express our passions, we open ourselves up to the uncertainty and unpredictability of creativity. There’s a vulnerability in allowing our fire to rise, in letting it breathe and take form, because we can never be sure what might come from it. The desire for perfection can keep us from taking those risks, leading us to stifle our fire rather than face the unknown. The Impact of Cold Buckets of Water And when others throw cold buckets of water—through criticism or dismissive comments—it can make us hesitant to let our fire show again. Caroline McGraw’s shared how an offhand remark snuffed out her passion as a child. It's a reminder that the wrong words at a vulnerab...
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    34 分
  • Let’s Leave It There

    Let’s Leave It There
    2024/08/02

    We leave things in many places for a variety of reasons. The questions we explored in our Kota this week were: what is being left,…

    This post first appeared on The Haven: Let’s Leave It There
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    32 分
  • 67 | How Does YOUR Sense of Adventure Appear? (with Sarah Lister)

    67 | How Does YOUR Sense of Adventure Appear? (with Sarah Lister)
    2024/07/12
    Each of us has a unique sense of adventure. What does yours feel like? In this episode of The Gentle Rebel Podcast, I speak with Sarah Lister, who runs About The Adventure, a career and life coaching business that helps people connect with what brings them to life as they navigate change. I love Sarah's approach to this topic and how she holds each person's needs within their unique spirit of adventure. The deer that delightfully derailed Sarah's sunset photographing quest one evening A Sense of Adventure Use this episode as an opportunity to reflect on the distinct elements that make up your personal sense of adventure. We explored the potential characteristics of adventure. For Sarah, it involves nature, spontaneity, a sense of challenge, and being somewhere out of the ordinary. But it also carries the openness to pause and breathe, to have the courage to stop walking and respond to the invitation of a particular moment. Whether it's stopping for a cup of tea with strangers or delaying a trek to photograph an unexpected deer on the hillside. There are a lot of juicy metaphors for life in this conversation and stuff worth reflecting on if you want to live a meaningful life. Recognising Our Sense of Adventure We might think of the "sense of adventure" as we think about a "sense of humour". While it's not a direct physical sense like touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing, it's something personal that keeps us in touch with what it means to feel alive and be ourselves. Adventure is not simply about the thrill of the unknown but also about our relationship with perceived possibilities, obstacles, and the creative potential we see in the path ahead. It's a key ingredient in living with a compelling sense of meaning. In our conversation, Sarah and I talk about: How to find adventure in the landscapes and environments around us Sarah's relationship with adventure and times in her life when her adventurous spirit shrunk The threads between imagination, daydreaming, and adventure When Sarah thought she was having fun but really was lost, and how she found her sense of self again Why adventure doesn't need an end goal, destination, or quest attached to it The role of safety in a successful adventure (and how we can increase confidence amid uncertainty by carrying the right resources with us) How to keep the adventure going even when the particular journey ends And more... Over to You What would you include in your list of adventure elements? Let me know by leaving a comment, sending a message, or contacting me via social media. Links About The Adventure (Sarah's Website) Sarah's Instagram The Haven A Blimp from the Blue: Using The Kishōtenketsu Story Structure as an Antidote to the Hero’s Journey (Courtyard Workshop with Kendra Patterson) Atlum Schema - Year 0 https://youtu.be/jmA25xe8Aso
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    1 時間 44 分
  • 66 | Dealing With Comparisonitis and Shame Attacks (with Val Nelson)

    66 | Dealing With Comparisonitis and Shame Attacks (with Val Nelson)
    2024/07/04
    Have you ever been derailed by a shame attack? Shame can sweep through, telling us we are not worthy, acceptable, or enough. It can be amplified by comparisonitis, where we judge our messy insides with our perception of other peoples’ shiny exteriors. Val Nelson, a career and business coach, specialises in working with highly sensitive and introverted individuals. She wrote this article about dealing with comparisonitis and shame attacks, which I was excited to dive into with her. Many people have felt like black swans in a world that often fails to provide the right conditions for HSPs to thrive. While shame is not exclusive to quiet and gentle souls, it can be particularly challenging for those who have learned to view their natural needs and preferences as a problem to hide, dismiss, or overcome. So I invited Val onto The Gentle Rebel Podcast to explore how shame can cause us to shrink back and hide from their dreams, ambitions, and needs. I wanted to explore the words "comparisonitis" and "comparonoia," which can leave us feeling isolated and alone as we look at the world around us and tell ourselves unsupportive stories. In Our Conversation, Val and I Explore: The nature of shame attacks and the signs of one appearing How humour and playfulness are one of our most significant resources Why it's so hard to give ourselves what we need in the face of shame (even when we know what we ought to do) Personal experiences of shame attacks Val and I have been through recently How to listen to the message beneath the noise when we feel like things are not going to plan What it means to take ourselves less seriously (without undermining the integrity of our work) Over to You What are you taking away from this episode? Have you experienced a shame attack? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, via a message, or through social media. Links Val's website Connect with Val on Linkedin Would you like to strengthen your defences in the face of bubbling shame attacks and "comparanoia"? If so, I would love to help you develop a strategy to use through a Pick The Lock call.
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    1 時間