The Early Bird Who Finished First: How Storytelling Led to Self-Acceptance

Uh, start with my content creation and life coaching, and storytelling, I now understand, plays a very big and crucial part of it. While I have started my journey in this life coaching, uh, this is my first time, uh, apart from my regular education and job, that I'm trying to commit to something. And this challenge, when I started it, actually brought me that commitment and so much excitement that, oh no, I am accountable for this particular journey. I made, I think, um many of my task as favorite because I actually— they were very authentic. I didn't use any technology, it actually came from my heart. But you know, when I came into this particular challenge, uh, since I was not knowing many details about it, I was thinking that it is a creative field, but actually it led me into, uh, too much of thought process, my own transformation, my my discovery, my stories, my authentic self. I relived in a way. I would tell you one thing, just, you know, sit in front of the camera and just think it is your best friend and you're just pouring your heart out. It's not only with me, right? I am also a newcomer like you and you should also try it out if you are looking on, uh, to create videos, amazing videos in these particular lines or professions. Definitely go ahead with this.

Hey everyone, welcome to yet another episode of this Finisher Interview Series where I get the opportunity to interview the champions, the achievers of our community. So if you're not yet aware, we run a monthly challenge where whenever the members complete this challenge for the very first time, I like to personally interview to know about their journey, to know about their outcome and insights. So that's the series all about. And today I have someone named Aditi Maheshwari. She's joining us from Bangalore, so let's get her at it. So hi Aditi, how are you doing?

Hi Haritosh Srivastav, thank you for having me here.

Awesome. So I'm so excited for this interview. Let's get started with your introduction and little bit about your journey.

Yeah, sure. So I'm currently in Bangalore, uh, working as a business analyst in a very, uh, renowned profession, uh, professional job, and, uh, and recently started following my passion as a life coach and Yes, so I'm trying to take certifications and learnings on this particular line, and where I come across this amazing, um, you know, profession as well, I mean, in the subcategory is storytelling. And yes, um, when this storytelling was introduced to me by my mentor, I was a bit skeptical about it and wanted to know that what exactly it is and what, uh, what are the nitty-gritties of it. And soon when I landed up in this particular challenge with you, slowly, slowly it took the pace and it increased my confidence with every single challenge, and it was amazing.

Awesome. So I know you already covered about why did you join the community, but I want to know, you have been here for like 1.5 months now. So how has this journey been? Like, you know, what were the ups and downs of this particular challenge?

So definitely, uh, I mean, I have to, uh, start with my content creation and life coaching, and storytelling, I now understand, plays a very big and crucial part of it. We don't know, right, that how our story has to be articulated in that video, how we have to, uh, put across our thoughts in a very constructed and structured so that the audience connects our authentic self. And, uh, it should not be like a made-up kind of, uh, you know, story. So definitely this is what I learned in this entire journey, and I think this was very important to— for me to be part of this. So yeah, the entire journey, uh, I was very, um, uh, very selective about my jargons, what I have to use. I had a lot of pauses and you know, falling short of ideas sometimes. That is my content, um, having too much good creativity or not, or is it worthwhile, you know, making a story of? Because there are many stories which we have, but not every story is worth the topic. So yeah, there I had faced the challenges, but it's okay. I— it was a great experience overall.

Okay, let me also ask you a question. So how long did it take for you to record your very first story, and how long did it take for you to record the last one, the 15th one?

Amazing question. Basically, first day, it was like 5 retakes for me, and my angle, my, uh, you know, the flow of speech was not great. And on the last challenge I will tell you, it was my first take and it was amazing. It was amazing.

Excellent, excellent. And I was expecting the same because that's how the journey is. Typically people take 5, 10, 20 takes as well when they're just starting, and by the end of it they are so confident that they are able to finish it and then they say, okay, give me more, I'll do it right away. So that's how it happens. Awesome. So I want to now ask you about your top 2 to 3 learnings undergoing this challenge?

Definitely, yeah. While I started my journey in this life coaching, this is my first time apart from my regular education and job that I'm trying to commit to something. And this challenge, when I started it, actually brought me that commitment and so much excitement that, oh no, I am accountable for this particular journey. I have to complete this challenge if I've started it. So And the moment I came from office, I was like, now this is the time I have to record a video. So yeah, that first learning of commitment and be accountable to start off a challenge and finish it till the ending line. Now, second thing, I was thinking, okay, storytelling, video making, uh, would be a creative, uh, area, definitely. But it actually taught me the time precision to count on time and tell your exact story in that particular time frame. With the correct structure to be followed, what your amazing task had. So yeah, that was also a great learning for me, that how to be time-bound and be effective in the same time. And the third learning was that, um, I never thought so— this is my third learning— that I discovered myself. Basically, I didn't know I had so many stories to tell about. And wow, that this particular Uh, you know, task fits with the story of mine, which I never, uh, thought about, explored myself so much in deep. So yeah, discovery of myself, third learning.

That's amazing. And which out of these three you think is the most crucial one?

Um, actually a mix of everything. I don't think I can choose anything. It is all so important to me.

I love that, love that. And thank you for being honest. I think this self-awareness, self-realization is that word, word that— because I've been recording many of the interviews lately, and I said in the last one as well, this word is popping again and again. And that I think is a side effect of going through this journey of participating and coming up with story, because A lot of us are in this rat race and we are just running and running and running. We never take time to actually pause and reflect on how amazing or what kind of experiences, what kind of growth that we had. So excellent. So I want to now ask you, uh, you already talked about the experience. What was your favorite task in the challenge? There were 15 different tasks. So which one was your favorite and why?

I made, I think, many of my tasks as favorite because I actually— they were very authentic. I didn't use any technology. It actually came from my heart. But I think I would choose two of them. I have to be because I cannot choose one. Uh, one task which was day number 6, uh, sales and I think Sales and Influence, where I actually included a story of my best friend, but it was an imaginative one. It was my story, and I wanted to showcase that why I am in this life coaching, uh, you know, journey, why it had led to me in this journey. Uh, I had so much, so many experiences, my background as a family and everything, and how it impacted me, how it influenced me to take this decision into this particular line. That is why it is very very close to my heart. And the second challenge which I liked is the last one, which helped me relive my entire journey, that, oh, you have come so far. You, you, you were actually very, very, uh, you know, skeptical and very scared, uh, that fear of judgment would come. How you are looking in the video, how you are saying, what are, what are your words, what are your thoughts. And on the last day, it was amazing. I mean, the entire journey of exploration was great.

Excellent. I love, I love that. And I do remember that I think you were the first one to finish the challenge as soon as that we announced. I think you finished it like in next 1 or 2 days. Typically we have a window of about a week for people to complete, but you were probably the first one. So congratulations once again. On being the early bird as well.

Thank you so much.

Awesome. So, uh, now let's talk about the results or the outcome. Of course, you were very interested. I mean, you were not aware, then you became aware, then you went through the process. But the most important thing is the result, because you are a life coach. The most important thing for you, for your client, is also the result. So I want to do What has been the outcome? What change in Aditi after you completed this challenge?

I would say that, um, you know, when I came into this particular challenge, uh, since I was not knowing many details about it, I was thinking that it is a creative field, but actually it led me into, uh, too much of thought process my own transformation, my, my discovery, my stories, my authentic self. I relived in a way, and it actually told me that, you know, you are enough, you are yourself, and you are what you do, what you, uh, belong for. And this is what it is, you know, it is totally custom made for you. It has transformed you, Aditi, and you are not the same as before, uh, being an introvert person at home, you know, not mingling out with so many friends, not having a great network. But it's good that camera can be your friend. I mean, uh, that confidence came in me that yes, I'm good, I'm very good.

I love that. Thank you for sharing that. And absolutely, this is where I think when you go one step further from being self-aware to being self-accepting, that yeah, I am what I am. I accept myself as I am. I don't, I don't need to be somebody else. I can definitely improve, but I don't need to change because of any external factor, and I don't need any external validation. I think that is the deeper meaning of all of this. So I'm, I'm so glad it worked out for you, and I'm really happy to see your progress.

Thank you.

So now, uh, coming to the second last question, it is about the community members. You know, there are a lot of community members who have not yet participated, or they have started participating but they haven't been able to cross the finish line. What is your message or tips and tricks for them to— for them to inspire and for them to complete the challenge?

I will definitely give a benefit of doubt to those people, I mean, maybe they are stuck in something or somewhere. But for those people who have actually, uh, took it very seriously and very on head with pressure that, okay, how this challenge I can, you know, complete, how it will go, how it will be perceived, I would tell you one thing. Just, you know, sit in front of the camera and just think it is your best friend and you're just pouring your heart out, have a story written on a page on the side that, okay, this is what I want to really talk about, and then think that it's your friend. And definitely, I'll tell you, the magic will happen and it will directly connect to the audience. So this is what the tip I would like to give. Then that fear also would go, and I know it would be seamless.

I love that. And yes, we did a challenge, Camera is Your Friend. So definitely that one single task has transformed many people because a lot of us really fear camera and what will happen if I open the camera and all. But if you are living in this 21st century, there is no way you can avoid. You can actually befriend that and make it as a medium to pass your message, and that's where you go from being self-driven to being helping others. What is it that I want to pass? So the message becomes more important than the speaker, and that is where the shyness, the fear starts to fade away. Lovely. So my last question is to you, Aditi. You've been part of the community for about 1.5 months. Based on your experience, and I don't want you to say just because I'm asking you, but I want to know Would you recommend others participating in these challenges and also joining Confidence Storytelling Hub?

Definitely. Okay, um, if you are wanting to be a public speaker, if you want to, you know, have a, have a particular forum where you want to stand and speak and motivate others, or if you are looking for, you know, a business where, uh, you have to put across your videos on the social media to inspire people or to gain your business, and anything everywhere it stands true. So the storytelling is like magical and amazing. And definitely please join Confident Storytellers because Haritosh Srivastav is amazing. He's such a humble person, such an amazing and effective taskmaster as well. I mean, in the silent task he's giving, I'm feeling so accountable that no, I have to complete it. Something, I don't know, something drives me always, drove me always in every task that Haritosh Srivastav has given me. I have to complete it. So yeah, definitely I think this motivation, uh, it's not only with me, right? I am also a newcomer like you, and you should also try it out if you are looking on, uh, to create videos, amazing videos in these particular lines or professions, definitely go ahead with this.

Thank you so much, Haritosh Srivastav. That really means a lot coming from you. And yes, the, the biggest motivation for me is to see members like you achieving new milestones and doing that. So I want to wish you all the best for the next milestone, which is to become the Hall of Fame Achiever, completing 3 challenges. So wishing you all the best, and thank you so much once again.

Thank you, Haritosh Srivastav.

Thank you. So friends, this was Aditi Maheshwari. She was the early bird for this month's challenge, November Mixer Challenge. You see, in every interview you will find that there is commonalities, but there is also uniqueness. And that is the case with our lives as well. We have few common things with others, but we also have few unique flavor, and that is your story. So if you are somebody who wants to own your story, if you want to reflect on your story and share with the world with a message, I recommend, I suggest that you come and be part of Confidence Storytelling Hub because we have 150+ members who are here to help you, support you, be accountable to you, and make you a world-class Confident Storytellers. So I will be back with another amazing interview, rather amazing unique stories. Until then, as I say every time, until next time, keep learning, keep growing, and keep going out of your comfort zone. Story power to you!