The tale of Renaissance artist Michelangelo can represent the process through which positive interventions aim to increase authenticity. When Michelangelo was asked about the difficulties he was assumed to have encountered in sculpting his masterpiece, David, he replied: “I saw this big piece of marble, saw David, and the only thing I needed to do was to remove the pieces that were unnecessary.” To create the statue of David, Michelangelo relied on two essential skills: his ability to cut away the unnecessary pieces and his ability to see David through the layers of marble.
In the same way, Life Coaching can help you to:
- remove the limitations that prevent you from being “David” (i.e., their authentic self)
- see your “David” by connecting to your authentic self
Just as Michelangelo used his chisel to chip away the unnecessary marble and let the beautiful image of David appear, positive psychology offers numerous techniques to transcend dysfunctional habits, beliefs, and emotions that allow the human potential to appear. The process of sculpting can be compared to the process of transformation in Life Coaching. Just like Michelangelo saw the image of David gradually appear as he removed each piece of marble, people can connect more and more to their authentic nature by seeing through the factors that impede their well-being.
From this perspective, becoming aware of the limitations that obscure or hide your true potential is an important first step in the process of human flourishing
Examples of such limitations include:
- False ideas about what happiness means
- Negative, self-critical beliefs about the self
- Unrealistic expectations about the future
- A strong motivation guided by fear of rejection
Although it is important to become aware of the factors that reduce authenticity, it is not enough to reduce their influence, or to “chip away layers of marble.” To chip away the marble, you must engage in behavior that are different from what you have done in the past. Behaviors that will discover and nourish your authenticity. This is where SubRosa’s Life Coaches can help you.
SubRosa’s Life Coaches help you to restore your connection with your authentic self in many different ways.
Typically, these interventions help increase your awareness of:
- personal values
- strengths
- activities that are guided by intrinsic motivation
- emotions that signal engagement and enthusiasm
- emotions that signal disengagement and resistance
- thoughts that promote well-being and self-care
A necessary next step is the translation of this awareness to action. Take that action today. Uncover your own personal “David”. Contact one of our Life Coaches and become your best authentic self.
