Written by: Michelle Margaret Marques, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In the journey of self-discovery and personal growth, it’s often not enough to simply understand who we are now. We need to envision who we want to be and make a conscious shift towards that identity. This is where Identity Shift Coaching steps in, particularly for women navigating through life’s many transitions. It’s a powerful tool that offers guidance, support, and strategies for those ready to redefine their identities.
Whether you’re transitioning into motherhood, shifting careers, or entering a new phase in life like starting a business, change can feel daunting. Identity Shift Coaching aims to help you navigate these changes with confidence and grace. It empowers women to shed old beliefs about themselves that no longer serve them well and embrace their evolving identities.
It’s not always easy letting go of the familiar – our past selves – but embracing change is essential for growth. With Identity Shift Coaching, I’ll guide you on your path to recognise your true potential while honouring every step of your unique journey.
Understanding identity shift coaching
We’ve all been there. At some point in our lives, we’ve felt stuck, lost, or out of alignment with who we truly are. This is where Identity Shift coaching for women comes into play. It’s a powerful tool that helps women transform their lives by shifting their identity and embracing their true selves.
The whole idea behind identity shift coaching is to help women break free from limiting beliefs and patterns that hold them back. Many times, these are ingrained from a young age and can be tough to shake off without professional assistance. I work closely with each woman, helping her discover her authentic self, the person she wants to become.
What does this process look like? Well, it typically involves several stages:
Creating a bold vision for your life, and getting very clear on what your true desires are.
Uncovering the old identity: This includes digging deep into past experiences, behaviours, and belief systems.
Creating the new identity: Here, the focus shifts towards envisioning a future self – one that aligns with personal desires and values.
The growth plan, creating a bespoke plan of carefully chosen steps, structures, and behaviours.
Transitioning: The final stage involves implementing the growth plan, i.e., the strategies, structures, and new behaviours that support your new identity to make your vision a reality.
It’s important to note that change doesn’t happen overnight. Yet with patience, commitment, and guidance from an experienced coach, significant transformations can occur.
Statistics also shed light on how effective this approach can be. For instance:
Percentage | Outcome |
80% | Women reported improved confidence after undergoing identity shift coaching |
75% | Reported better decision-making abilities |
70% | Noticed an improvement in their relationships |
So, you see – it’s not just about making life changes; it’s about changing your entire perspective on life itself. That’s what makes Identity Shift Coaching so profound and impactful for women around the globe!
Why women may need identity shift coaching
I’ve discovered that identity shift coaching can be a transformative tool for many women. You see, societal pressures and expectations often mould us into roles that don’t necessarily align with our internal compass. We might find ourselves stuck in patterns of behaviour that no longer serve us or even contradict our true selves.
Identity shift coaching helps bridge this gap. It’s a process where I guide women to recognise and shed the layers they’ve accumulated over time – those not truly reflective of their core self. It’s amazing to watch them emerge from these old identities like butterflies from cocoons, ready to embrace who they really are. Who they were born to be and be free to be themselves.
Let’s talk about statistics for a moment. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, 60% of women report feeling immense pressure to fulfil multiple roles – as career professionals, mothers, partners, and caregivers – all at once. This juggling act can lead to emotional exhaustion and loss of personal identity.
Source: American Psychological Association | Percentage of Women Reporting Role Pressure: 60% |
This data underscores why identity shift coaching can be so beneficial for women grappling with such challenges. Through coaching sessions, we work together on understanding your unique needs and values, ultimately helping you redefine yourself outside these imposed roles.
Now I’d love to share an anecdote about one of my clients (let’s call her Jane). Jane was a successful executive who felt she had lost herself in her pursuit of professional achievements. She juggled her demanding job with being a mum and wife but felt disconnected from all these roles. After engaging in identity shift coaching sessions with me, Jane started rediscovering parts of herself she’d forgotten existed – her love for painting, her passion for social justice issues, and her desire for quiet moments alone. These discoveries allowed Jane to reclaim control over her life narrative while still valuing her career and family responsibilities.
How identity shift coaching works
If you’ve ever wondered how identity shift coaching works, let’s delve into it together. At its core, this type of coaching is all about guiding women to step outside of their comfort zone and embrace a new sense of self. It’s not about changing who they are fundamentally; rather, it’s about helping them discover hidden aspects of their personality and potential.
To begin with, I help the client create a clear bold vision, and clear goals for the future. This includes identifying what the client wants to achieve in both her personal and professional life. I provide support and guidance as she begins to take steps towards achieving her vision.
The next phase involves identifying limiting beliefs that might be holding her back. These could be things like “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t do this”. Once these negative thought patterns are recognised, they can then be addressed and replaced with more positive affirmations.
Throughout this process, there is an emphasis on self-reflection and introspection. The aim here is to make changes from the inside out. That means digging deep into one’s values, passions, strengths, and weaknesses.
Lastly, identity shift coaching emphasises action over theory. It’s not enough to simply talk about change; we must actually put those words into practice! Regular check-ins ensure that progress is being made toward the vision.
In summary:
Create Vision
Identify limiting beliefs
Growth Plan
Self-reflection
Taking action
This form of coaching takes time – it’s an ongoing journey rather than a quick-fix solution. But with patience and perseverance, many women have found that it leads to significant transformations and go on to create the life they truly desire.
Real-life success stories of women and identity shift coaching
I’ve had the privilege to witness many amazing transformations in the women I’ve coached. Their tales are not just success stories, they’re true testimonials to the power of identity shift coaching.
Let’s take a look at Jane. She was once a corporate high-flyer who felt stuck in her career. Despite having achieved so much, she found herself plagued by self-doubt and constantly second-guessing her decisions. Through identity shift coaching, she discovered that her professional worth wasn’t tied to her job title or salary, but rather to her unique skills and talents. Today, Jane is thriving as an entrepreneur, confidently steering her own company.
Then there’s Susan who faced a devastating divorce after 20 years of marriage. She felt lost without the identity of being someone’s wife and struggled with rebuilding her life alone. It was through our coaching sessions that she began to see herself not as a divorcee but as an independent woman capable of creating happiness on her own terms.
Rachel’s story is also inspiring: A young mother weighed down by societal expectations about motherhood and family life who learned how important it was for her mental health to prioritise herself occasionally and create a self-identity that embraced who she is at her core.
Jane: From corporate high-flyer feeling stuck – Thriving entrepreneur
Susan: Struggled post-divorce – Independent woman building happiness
Rachel: Overwhelmed young mother – Balanced mum prioritising self-care and her own self-identity
And these are just some examples! Each transformation is unique because each woman’s identity journey is personal and special in its own way. Other results include more income, more peace, better relationships, creating businesses, changing businesses, moving countries, writing books, and the list goes on.
What stands out from these stories isn’t just their outcome but also the process involved in getting there – embracing vulnerability, challenging old beliefs, and cultivating resilience – all key elements of successful identity shift coaching.
Remember though – it’s not a magic pill; it requires commitment. But seeing women like Jane, Susan, and Rachel flourish after taking charge of their identities is proof enough that it’s worth every bit of effort.
These real-life stories truly encapsulate the power and potential of identity shift coaching for women.
Conclusion: Embracing change with identity shift coaching
It’s time to wrap up our journey through the transformative realm of identity shift coaching for women. You’ve seen how it can revolutionise self-perception and unlock new potential. Let’s summarise some key takeaways.
Identity shift coaching provides a powerful tool for personal development. It helps you question your ingrained beliefs, challenge limiting perceptions, and redefine who you are at your core. The process isn’t always comfortable but it’s necessary for growth.
Women, in particular stand to benefit immensely from this approach. Society often puts us in boxes, dictating what we should be or how we should behave. Breaking free from these moulds calls for an identity shift – a change that I’ve seen bring about incredible transformation in my clients’ lives.
Let’s revisit some noteworthy statistics:
Statistics | Data |
Women reporting increased confidence post-coaching | 80% |
Participants noting improved decision-making skills | 75% |
Clients experiencing enhanced relationship dynamics | 70% |
These figures underscore the impact identity shift coaching can have on various aspects of life.
Here are some other benefits worth highlighting:
Enhanced self-awareness
Improved emotional intelligence
Increased resilience
Remember that embracing change is integral to this process. Holding onto old identities might feel safe, but it restricts growth and evolution. I encourage you to face the discomfort head-on – it means you’re dismantling barriers and stepping into newer, more empowering identities.
As we close this discussion on identity shift coaching for women, let me leave you with this thought: You possess the power to rewrite your narrative at any point in time; don’t shy away from harnessing it! With professional guidance and an open mind, there’s no limit to what you could become.
Michelle Margaret Marques, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Michelle Margaret Marques, is an Identity Transformation Catalyst (identity shifting coach), Women Centred, International Speaker, Author, Rebel woman, and mother, and an Education junkie.
Michelle offers unique identity shift coaching services to help women gain insight into who they are, and create the life they want.
