Why I Became a LifePlan Guide
It’s common for women to believe they have nothing to offer. I see it all the time in therapy when I counsel New Yorkers. Women often dismiss and devalue themselves. I won’t get into this too deeply, but that’s how a system of oppression works. The ultimate goal is for the marginalized and oppressed to disempower themselves. You hope they stop standing tall, stop speaking out and become content to live a small life.
That’s one reason why I started LifePlan NYC. I wanted to create a space to honor and uplift people, especially women and people of color. I wanted to undo the lie that I’m inadequate because I’m not a man or I’m weak because I’m not white. I wanted to scream from the rooftops of New York City that God created every single person with a plan and purpose. And it’s our right to live with deep meaning and passion.
That conviction carried me to Colorado where I trained with the Paterson Center. Years prior I'd completed my own lifeplan with a trusted Paterson guide and it changed my life. So I jumped at the opportunity to become that kind of guide for others.
What I love about the Paterson Process
There are many programs for personal and professional development. But I haven't encountered anything quite like the Paterson Process. My clients echo this sentiment as they go through the two-day lifeplan journey with me. Here are a few of the reasons most people find lifeplanning unique:
Lifeplanning is holistic, addressing all aspects of your life. We cover the five major life domains (personal, family, career, spirituality, and community). That means your plan is comprehensive and one area of your life doesn't dominate at the exclusion of others.
Lifeplanning marries big vision with practical strategy. Have you ever gone to a vision meeting and left super excited but with zero idea how to put in place what you discussed? It's the worst! The lifeplan intensive starts with vision. But it also ends with a specific to-do list that outlines clear action steps.
Lifeplanning honors diverse lifestyles and choices. I'm sensitive to programs that feel tailored to specific cultures, genders or lifestyles. They can leave many people feeling excluded from the process. I love how we can adapt the Paterson Process to anyone - male or female, old or young, any ethnicity or religion.
Lifeplanning makes sense of the past, present and future. In strategic planning meetings, it's tempting to focus only on future hopes. I love how the Paterson Process finds meaning in your entire life story. Then it integrates the discoveries from your past to craft an authentic plan for the future.
Becoming a lifeplan facilitator has been a total gift. I love watching the scales fall off the eyes of my clients when they see themselves on the wall. It’s a beautiful moment watching someone awaken to their own self-worth. And it’s a joy to see them piece together a strategic plan to stop playing small and live the life they are meant to live.
As a culture, we are stepping into a new era. Those who have been sitting on the sidelines of life are no longer willing to settle. As the saying now goes, time’s up. What a privilege to be in the business of helping others stand, find their voice, and live out loud.
I'd love to come alongside you as you work on discovering your big life purpose and create a lifeplan. If you think you're ready to being the process, I offer free introductory calls to partner with you as you decide the best next step to take in moving closer to your purpose. Shoot me an email at chanel@lifeplan.nyc to get started.
