I had the distinct pleasure and privilege to work with Christy Rutherford of Vision Finder International. I came into the program as an angry, frustrated, afraid, bitter, rejected and just overall defeated and used woman. I was tired of being tired. I felt stuck and alone. Didn’t believe in myself anymore. Lost my drive and hope. I had toxic relationships in both my business and professional lives.
My motivation was driven by approval from others extrinsically instead of intrinsically. Tapping into these intrinsic drivers helped me align with my core values which propelled me to achieve more. I felt heard for the first time in my life and she helped me honor the values of who I am and to let go of the things that were holding me back. We taped over the negative thoughts I was telling myself, i.e. I am a failure; I will never make it.
Not realizing that I have already made it. I was no longer that little immigrant girl working in the fields to help her parents put food on the table. I was no longer living in fear of being deported and I was no longer struggling financially. However, in my mind, I was still that scared little girl who thought about her distant future with only a big dream to hold on to. My relationship with money was also negative because I grew up dirt poor and was afraid to spend fearing I would go back to poverty.
I was my own worst enemy which was detrimental to my overall growth. 90 percent is mental and 10% is your business. Let that sink in. If you do not deal with the mental aspect first, then you will never reach your highest potential.
The program allowed me to be vulnerable in a safe place where I could be myself and unpack hidden trauma and self-doubt. I was able to identify persons in my life that devalued my self-worth and hindered my ability to become the person I was destined to be. I forgave those that needed to be forgiven and moved on unapologetically and authentically giving me the courage to stand up and take action. Forgiveness equals freedom.
To my surprise I also stopped drinking to cover up depression, stress, self-isolation, fears, and doubts. I learned to channel the negative energy in healthy ways. I developed a sense of self by being intentional. What does it feel like to be successful- being so connected to that visualization allowed me to manage the unexpected but also to be able to smell it, touch it and feel it.
Finally, I have achieved satisfaction, calmness, and mindfulness with a sense of purpose. I was forced to slow down and reflect on my self-worth. Through the process, I rediscovered the badass woman I always knew I was but had suppressed for so many years. Believing others and my own negative thoughts had hindered my ability to reach my maximum potential. Understanding and dealing with past trauma significantly improved my quality of life. But most importantly, I regained my inner peace by living my life on my own terms.
BE COACHABLE- TRUST and LET GO!
-Raquel Naranjo, J.D., WestPac Wealth Partners