There burns within us this desire to be of service. To effect change. To pass along something that goes beyond who we are in our short lives.

It can be easy to shy away from that, feeling not quite up to the task of creating what we’re meant to create or stepping into how phenomenal we really are.

It can be terrifying: “Who do you think you are?” and “What makes you think you can?” and “You can’t really change much.”

But I believe: you are a change-maker.

You have something to contribute.

Your voice is one that needs to be heard.

Then come the waves of cultural critics, arguing that we have become a culture of narcissists, and that it’s all this talk about “believing in yourself” and “making your voice heard” that amplifies this trend.

But they’re missing something essential–narcissism masks a deep-seated self-hatred.

Making your voice heard creates change.

I look at all of the civil unrest going on in the world right now; the riots, the protests.

Yes, they’re scary.

They’re also powerful. They also have me feeling more alive, because I can feel the aliveness of the people willing to stand up for something and say, “No.”

I don’t condone destruction; I celebrate the insistence on having a voice.

It’s an interesting time to be alive.

When you have something to stand for, you have something to live for. What you stand for might not be overthrowing brutal regimes or ending world hunger or political reform. Perhaps what you stand for is people doing their best work, or tapping into their creative passions, or practicing courage.

But I still believe it’s true–that you, me, and everyone else–we desire to be of service. We desire contribution. We’re hungry for the connection that that creates.

Please don’t hold back–show the world, us, who you are.

Kate Swoboda is a Life Coach, speaker and writer who supports change-makers to clarify, build, and live their big visions. She’s the author of the Courageous Living Guides and creator of the Courageous Play and Create Stillness retreats. In the Fall of 2011, she’ll debut The Coaching Blueprint. She’s excited about learning languages, reading as many books as she can, getting bendy-stretchy on the yoga mat, the quest for the next amazing chai latte, and running.

Since 2006, I’ve been a Life Coach.

There, I said it.

Talk to just about any Life Coach, and they’ll share with you that saying to others, “I’m a Life Coach” can be a difficult statement to make. First, for years now the concept of Life Coaching has been relatively unknown and so the likely first reaction from most people would be to screw up one’s face and say, “Huh? What’s a Life Coach?”

Second, now that the Coaching industry has exploded and everyone and their grandmother is offering Coaching services, the reaction is likely to be anything from a doubtful tone (read: often verging on condescending) with a comment like, “How exactly does that work?” to judgments that are not aired verbally but that can be felt by us Coaches, being that we tend to be a rather perceptive group.

It seems simply unbelievable to some people that there are people (like me) who might make a living out of supporting other human beings.

But on another level, I can understand the doubt.

The truth is that there are problems with the Coaching industry. There are certain truths that people are rightly picking up on: There are Coaches who are immensely kind and empathetic people who are floundering because of their lack of business skills; there are cheesy, ridiculous sales-pitches on websites that follow the same format Madame Cleo used to peddle on her late-night infomercials with a 1-800 number; there are a certain number of people who seriously lack skills or who simply should not be Coaching.

The truth is also this: these same concerns cut across any industry. There are talented graphic designers who are floundering because of their lack of business skills; there are cheesy, ridiculous sales-pitches on software websites; there are financial “experts” who seriously lack skills or who simply should not be in investments (Hello, Enron?).

It seems to me that the same fears seem to make the rounds and penetrate all industries at some point or another. They always sound the same: There’s a glut of people in the industry! They’re undercutting the prices of established veterans with cheesy sales tactics! They aren’t really very good and shouldn’t be here!

Consider the digital photography revolution–suddenly, millions of amateur photographers began flooding the market as professionals. The same thing has happened with web design. With opening a coffee shop. With deciding to quit your job and travel the world. With opening an art store on Etsy.

People see good ideas, and they follow them and try them out. Over time, things get sorted out. The people who didn’t really want to be in that profession do fall away from it and find another line of work (which is fine). The people who are truly passionate about what they’re doing stay the course (which is also fine). Coaching just happens to be one of the latest areas to get this massive market jump, and with it, the criticisms that ride the coattails of any massive market jump.

But this post isn’t solely about Coaching, even though I’ve used that as an example. This post comes down to this: I think we all need to claim our place in what we choose to do with our lives–whether or not we are making money off of it; whether or not we went to school for it; whether or not a gazillion other people are doing it and we’re not sure we have anything unique to offer.

Of course there’s something unique to offer: you. And the most powerful move you can make is simply this–to claim you, whether that’s as a Coach, a photographer, an artist, a world-traveler, a momma who stays home with the kids. All of these are examples of rich and full lives, as long as we choose to live them that way.

Go ahead: Claim your place.

P.S. If you are a new or emerging Coach, I’d love to talk to you. I’m debuting something special that’s just for Coaches in the coming months, and I have some questions I’d like to ask you. Email me at kate@yourcourageouslife.com for more details!

Kate Swoboda is a Life Coach, teacher and writer who works with women from around the world who are interested in living lives of courage, integrity, passion, and power. She’s the author of the Courageous Living Guides and creator of the Courageous Play and Create Stillness retreats. She’s excited about learning languages, reading as many books as she can, getting bendy-stretchy on the yoga mat, the quest for the next amazing chai latte, and running. (Author photo credit: In Her Image)