We just wrapped up our first week in the Niching for Hippies program.
And a thought came up for me. It’s kind of rough and I’d love your reflections on it.
We know niching is important.
We know that our most authentic niches often come from our own past wounds and struggles.
We know that one of the most direct questions we can ask ourself is, ‘What have I had to overcome in my life to be where I am today?’
Here are four extremely clear and poignant examples that participants shared during our first call . . .
“I had a nearly fatal heart attack and currently live with heart failure (the heart is damaged and cannot pump at full capacity). As a result I have had to change my lifestyle in numerous ways, and it has not been easy. That has led me to a niche of helping people to live heart healthy lifestyles to avoid what I went through, or to live with vitality after a heart attack, as I am doing now.”
“I grew up in an abusive home where my parents controlled us through fear. i overcame listening to the voice of my fears and now pursue my dreams. In my work today, I support women in living according to their own truth, becoming empowered, being moved from a place of love to pursue their dream life.”
“I have a son with several nuerological issues. Together we explored and implemented therapies many have not heard of. My heart is drawn towards those unaware of possible paths. In addition my own few health issues and those of friends sensitive me to those whose bodies require them to look at life differently. Also a sensitivity towards inclusion in a variety of settings…. Much more, but this is a start.”
“I recovered from a spinal injury with the help of a Hellerwork practitioner, and was astonished at the positive results. So much so, I ended up taking all the steps to becoming a Hellerwork practitioner myself. Now I have much more to learn about marketing, so I can stop worrying about making ends meet and free myself to really help people.”
But what if you are like most of us and have had a lot of major wounds?
Which ones do you pick to focus on?
As I was drifting off to sleep the other night a thought came to my mind.
“If you could travel back in time to any age of your life, to any moment or period in your life, and give yourself the gift of the qualities you most needed at that time (e.g. courage, persistence, awareness, self love etc.) which time in your life would you choose? If you had to choose ONE. If you could only go back to one point in your life, which one would you have chosen that would have had the most profound impact on your life? And what would you have given yourself?”
I don’t have an answer myself. But I think it’s a potentially profound question to consider.
Perhaps the gentleman who’d had the heart attack might have gone back and given himself a greater level of self love and self care.
Perhaps the woman who grew up in the fearful and controlling home might have given herself the gift of belief in herself, a deep love for herself and courage to speak.
You get the idea.
Once you identify the time, ask yourself:
1) What was I craving more than anything at the time? You answer to this will give you the result your clients crave most. This will help you understand how to speak to them.
2) With wisdom and retrospect, what was it that I was really needing most? This will help you begin to unpack your point of view about the journey your clients are undergoing. It will help you understand what you really need to help your clients get in order to get the results they are craving.
So, when in your life would you go back to? And what might you give yourself that would have changed everything?
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Want Help? If you’d like some more direct guidance and hand holding on figuring out your niche then go and check out my Niching for Hippies coaching program https://marketingforhippies.com/niching-for-hippies/