Reflective storytelling
is all about you...
Rebirth: personal growth through storytelling
"I truly appreciated your thoughtful approach and the way you made everything feel clear and manageable. It was great having you as a partner in this reflective process."
Senior Sales Director
Stuck? Transition? Crisis? Crossroads? Confused?
Well done for thinking about you for a change...
...perhaps you might know someone in your life who needs to do the same?
Whatever role we play in life, our energies inevitably get invested in others. Our jobs. The people we are responsible for. The people or issues we care about. It is very easy to forget ourselves in the daily grind of life and work. Many of us consider it an indulgence to think about ourselves and our needs.
The word ‘selfish’ is defined as making personal profit or pleasure one’s primary concern. Many of us try to steer clear of this negative connotation and relentlessly pursue serving others and their interests, often at our own expense. I have worked in the healthcare profession…trust me, I know!
However, when we are giving to others in so many ways, there must be some respite. We cannot go on draining our finite cup. We all need periods of both recharge and replenishment.
The time that we should take to rest and recuperate from our seemingly endless generosity of time, resource, and emotions is often treated as a pause before we go back to doing what we have always done. A mere step off the hamster wheel to catch our breath before hopping back on again. Back to what we have always done.
"If you always do what you have always done,
you will always get what you have always got..."
Tony Robbins
But it doesn't have to be that way. Change can happen, but change can be hard.
So imagine this. Imagine having (or more importantly, making) time not for just rest, but for reflection.
- Reflecting on your thoughts, behaviours, and attitudes
- Reflecting on your choices and decisions.
- Reflecting on your life events, both good and bad.
- Reflecting on your relationships.
Reflections that lead to change. Change for the better. Starting anew. A Rebirth.
I am not the only doctor who thinks we can be born again …
“When it comes to emotional intelligence, intuition, and creativity…I have a theory…if you really focus…over a nine month period, which is the gestational period of a human baby from conception to birth…you can re-wire your neural pathways, essentially creating a rebirth in your brain.”
Dr Tara Swart MD PhD, Neuroscientist
Don’t get me wrong. Reflection is not just for when things are ‘not quite right’ or in times of crisis. Those may be good times to reflect, but not the only times!
Why not reflect around major milestones or rites of passage? Graduation? Important birthday? Getting married?
Why not reflect around times of transition? Career change? Upcoming retirement? Coming out?
Whatever your need or reason for reflection, or whether you think reflection would be a great gift for someone in your social or professional network, you have come to the right place.
Stories have the power to change the narrative of an entire world, one conversation at a time. But what stories are you telling yourself? How do those narratives affect your self-perception? How do your internal monologues influence your actions and behaviours?
Let me help you, your friends, colleagues, and loved ones tap into personal stories. Stories that lead to lightbulb moments. Stories that lead to courageous action. Stories that lead to change.
No-one wins until someone changes the story.
Reframe your story. Reclaim your life.
How will you change your narrative?
The English word ‘courage’ derives from the Latin word ‘cor’ which means ‘heart’. In an early form, the word ‘courage’ meant ‘to speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart’. That is what storytelling is about.
Brené Brown
The English word ‘courage’ derives from the Latin word ‘cor’ which means ‘heart’. In an early form, the word ‘courage’ meant ‘to speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart’. That is what storytelling is about.
Brené Brown
What is the Rebirth programme?
Rebirth is a personal growth coaching programme of reflective practice using storytelling. It is designed for individuals, inspired by the developmental wonder that is human pregnancy.
The Rebirth programme involves crafting nine true personal stories from your life. Each ‘trimester’ will have a theme decided on by you, following an in-depth interview. Each trimester will then need a trilogy (three) of stories to reflect that theme.
This is an opportunity for you to work with me as an experienced storytelling coach on a one-to-one basis to reflect on your life so far through personal stories. The anthology of nine stories created by the end of the programme will form the basis for your personal transformation, or ‘rebirth’.
It is a 12-month (1-year program) made up of 3 trimesters, with 1 meeting every month. Each trimester will ‘produce’ a total of 3 short true, personal stories on a single theme. The program begins with a 1-hour discovery call to brainstorm ideas and themes that are important to you.
Each trimester will include 4 x 1-hour meetings.
- Month 1 – brainstorming first story
- Month 2 – brainstorming second story
- Month 3 – brainstorming third story
- Month 4 – reflection exercise
"I needed Lalith’s firm but compassionate steer, and his patience in getting me to take steps that I was frightened of taking.”
Participants can choose whether they would like to do one, two, or the full three trimesters.
1 Trimester
(3 stories)
Client writes stories:
£1000
Stories written for client:
£1500
2 Trimesters
(6 stories)
Client writes stories:
£1500
Stories written for client:
£2000
3 Trimesters
(9 stories)
Client writes stories:
£2000
Stories written for client:
£2500
How does the Rebirth programme help?
Storytelling is ancient. Anthropological experts say this form of communication is as old as human language. The first humans used storytelling to make sense of their life and share knowledge. This age-old strategy remains as relevant for us in the 21st century as it was for our ancestors.
The best predictor of your good decisions are your previous good decisions. The same can be said of bad decisions. Revisiting the emotions surrounding those past events can inspire self-reflection, as well as forging connections with ourselves and, if the stories are shared, with others.
"It is hard to describe how you feel when you see what you have been hiding in your heart for so long as words on a page.”
When would the Rebirth programme be useful?
- periods of transition (relationship/career)
- feeling stuck (childhood trauma)
- curiosity about reflecting on their own life (sexuality)
- developing training workshops (the relevance of their own story/journey)
- legacy to leave for their children/grandchildren (how I met your father)
You could even gift reflective storytelling coaching sessions to a friend, family member, or work colleague. Sounds like a pretty personal and thoughtful gift to me!
"It helped me make connections and sense of a really complex experience I had previously found hard to articulate.”
What are the benefits of doing the Rebirth personal growth coaching programme?
Achieve a deeper understanding of yourself
“Spending one hour talking through a story with Lalith about a challenging interaction with a work colleague was more valuable in learning about myself as a leader than one year of executive coaching. Talk about value for money!” Director of Finance
“Thank you Lalith for making me see my own motivations and values from a very different perspective.” Police Officer
Create an opportunity for emotional self-care
“It was an amazing chance to speak about ME for a change! This is a real rarity in both my personal and professional life!” Lawyer
“Rightly or wrongly, I consider spending time on myself, let alone money, an over-indulgence! It was a real eye opener for me to discover the depth of a mere story of mine. I was blown away what my simple story ending up meaning to me. This really was precious time well spent.” Doctor
Re-frame your own stories and narrative
“It was a great opportunity to review past experiences with supportive analysis. It was deep and meaningful and very personal. I have never reflected on my life and career in such a way before. Lalith showed me how to tell my story in a way I never thought possible.” Artist
“I liked the way Lalith was able to draw themes from apparently unrelated episodes of my life. I hadn’t seen them in the same way. He really has a unique ability to make you see your story in a whole new light. This really helped me to understand the common threads.” Community Religious Leader
An opportunity to face challenging, buried, or uncomfortable topics
“Lalith encouraged me to be brave and revisit my story, even though I never thought I could do it. He made me feel safe and his insight into my story was invaluable. He knew how to build my confidence to then share my story. I thank him for this amazing experience.” Sciences undergraduate student
“I have not spoken publicly before on such personal topics and was naturally anxious. This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I felt completely supported and prepared thanks to Lalith. Reflecting on a difficult period of my life and sharing it out loud has been therapeutic.” Professional musician
"I have had lightbulb moments which have clarified the gut feelings I had been experiencing for a long time.”
Enhance your feelings of emotional safety and wellbeing
“The one-to-one [story crafting] sessions were incredible. I am amazed at how Lalith was able to ask the right questions kindly and empathetically to get to the essence of issues. We were able to share a joke despite the [heavy topic] of one of my stories, and this was amazing.” Paramedic
“Reflecting on your own stories is beautiful. It just makes you feel better because you really learn to respect and value yourself as a person. I never thought that I could become comfortable sharing my story to someone who doesn’t know me, but after doing this with Lalith, I really do now.” Librarian
Guide and develop your decision-making for the future
“Lalith metaphorically stood behind me, hands on my shoulder. He listened to me with respect. His reflections turned me in a different direction. A shorter route. Not the long one. He lifted his hands and gently said, ‘this way now.’ What a journey.” Psychometric Assessment Analyst
“Lalith has an uncanny perception and ability to see what is going on ‘between the lines’ of a story. I found sharing and reflecting on my story as a healing experience. Kickstarting the healing process will truly help me with the dealing process and help me move forward.” Humanitarian Assistance Worker
What does the Rebirth Programme involve?
“It wasn’t unbearably uncomfortable, but it certainly wasn’t a gentle walk in the park…”
Ten x one-hour storytelling coaching meetings (online or face-to-face, depending on location)
You will start with a one-hour introductory brainstorming call to identify three themes relevant to your personal life and/or work.
You will then have monthly one-hour discussions over nine months either online or face-to-face to craft stories on those themes. Following each one-hour session, you will be given a suggested structure to craft a short story as a take-home task.
Three themes. Three stories per theme. This will create a personal anthology of nine personal stories. Depending on your wishes, these stories could be crafted into written form, recorded as an audio clip, captured as an audio-visual clip, or shared with a group of other storytellers. The program is flexible and can be adjusted.
Trust me, I'm a doctor...
As a paediatrician, I know just how powerfully stories help engage and inspire children. I want to rekindle this power for us big kids.
I was part of winning teams for the Health Services Journal (HSJ) Staff Engagement Award (2020), and HPMA Excellence in People Employee Engagement Award (2021).
I am a trained Schwartz Round (storytelling) facilitator, NHS Leadership Academy mentor, and Advanced Communication Skills Training (ACST) faculty member.
My storytelling coach approach, helping people craft their own personal stories has been described as both bold and compassionate.
I am not afraid of discussing and talking about uncomfortable truths. I am very much a people person, passionate about emotional wellbeing.
‘Trust me, I’m a doctor?’ It’s true! People seem to tell me things that they would not normally confide in anybody else.
Having that level of candour is what is very much needed when it comes to reflecting on your personal stories. All emotions are welcome here!
“Writing the stories offered a clearing that was as much literally physical as it was intellectual and, critically, emotional. It felt like some kind of awesome alchemy.”
Testimonials
Time to cut the umbilical cord and start a new life...
Greater clarity.
New ways of thinking.
Reframing your past.
Transformational change.
You may think reflective storytelling is self-indulgent.
Let me show you how necessary it is for you or for someone you know.
Book a free no-obligation call with me now to discuss how personal growth coaching through storytelling can transform your life.
George Bernard Shaw once wrote:
"Progress is impossible without change. Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."
Mahatma Gandhi also expressed:
"If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As we change our own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards us."
George Bernard Shaw once wrote:
"Progress is impossible without change. Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."
Mahatma Gandhi also expressed:
"If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As we change our own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards us."
What do you give as a gift to the person who has it all?
Looking for a present with a truly personal touch?
“I felt confident in Lalith's energy and boldness to support crafting my story in a way others would understand clearly. ”
Giving the gift of a professional storytelling coach and writer could be the perfect choice of gift for engagements, weddings, birthdays, retirements, anniversaries, or even a farewell.
I have even been donated as a charity raffle prize!
What do you give as a gift to the person who has it all?
Looking for a present with a truly personal touch?
“I felt confident in Lalith's energy and boldness to support crafting my story in a way others would understand clearly. ”
Giving the gift of a professional storytelling coach and writer could be the perfect choice of gift for engagements, weddings, birthdays, retirements, anniversaries, or even a farewell.
I have even been donated as a charity raffle prize!
Frequently Asked Questions
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