“If you want to go higher, you must go deeper”

- Bob Anderson

Do you ever ask yourself “Who Am I”? I know, I know — it’s abstract, convoluted, deep, a bit weird and probably something that most of us avoid or just never think of. But digging into that question and finding the answers has some amazing consequences and I’d like to share with you how to explore those opportunities.

Take a moment and think about a time when you’ve been at your best. Set aside that nagging, self-doubting voice that might be saying that you’ve never been at your best and really focus on a time when you shined. You nailed that presentation, you made a difference in someone else’s life, perhaps you reached a goal that you’ve been working on for a long time … “at your best” can take on a plethora of attributes. How did you feel when you were in that state? What was different in comparison to when you weren’t quite so shiny or when that pit in your stomach just wouldn’t go away? Honestly think about it, write it down and then keep reading below.

Knowing your true self — being able to answer that “Who Am I?” question — is a lifelong process. There is no concrete road map to get to an answer but I can help get you there. As a coach, I have the privilege to build people up, help them discover their purpose, vision and values and identify their strengths. A key part of the process is to remove the ‘noise’ — the noise of limiting thoughts, the noise of people who aren’t supportive, the noise of past failures; whatever noise is holding you back, I can help quiet it down so you can turn inward without distraction. All of this work is done with the end goal of helping my clients to find their identity and improve their confidence and performance.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

- Aristotle

“My goal is to give you the gift of self-knowledge so that you can be a catalyst of transformation.”

You might be asking why knowing yourself so well is even worth the effort. I have learned that knowing one’s self helps to develop confidence and assurance — whether in your role at work or elsewhere in your life. Results will come and go — performance reviews, competition, exams — yet the process of going inward takes courage and wisdom and that is what defines your character. Your character will sustain you and will help you see that your uniqueness is your strength. It will also help you to celebrate others and recognize the unique value that each person has.

It’s never too early or too late to start discovering who you are. Whether you are a student, an athlete, an emerging leader or someone who has been around the block for a while, set aside the comparison to others and take a look at how you show up. Here are some suggestions on how you can be open, be curious and reflect often:

• Be curious about who and what has shaped you, and who you want to be moving forward.
• Figure out what you stand for and maybe what your legacy as a leader, friend, teammate will be.
• Throw yourself outside of your comfort zone so you can keep learning.
• Bring new people into your life (“for a season, reason or lifetime”).
• Listen to the cues in your life: what energizes you? what depletes you? when you’re at your best, who are you with, what are you doing, what got you there?

If you need help, I am here. If you’re curious to learn more, if you want guidance, if you are stuck, if you want a sounding board or a trusted coach, I am here.

Through self-assessments, coaching conversations and other proven methods, I can get you on the path to self-knowing and that will open doors you never knew were closed.

Laura Dowling

Professional Coach & Facilitator

My name is Laura, but everyone calls me “LD”.
LD Performance Consulting provides emerging and experienced leaders, individuals and teams with world-class, customized leadership development and facilitation services that build confidence, unlock talent and improve performance.

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