At various points in the book, Claire refers to photographs, images and other resources that will supplement your enjoyment of the book. You will find most of them here.
The From Wallflower to Sunflower Pinterest Page
Visit this page for numerous inspiring images and quotes, or for when the going gets tough:
See these photographs, taken whilst Claire was out on a walk, of a wallflower happily growing on top of a three-foot wall.
Somehow, the wallflower has grown through the cracks of this old stone wall and emerged on the top. There are few plants that could achieve this level of resilience.
This exemplifies the extraordinary capacity of the wallflower to survive and to flourish. This same capacity lives in you.
Wallflowers as Wallpaper
Another reader of the book, interpreted the word wallflower in a completely different way. A wallflower that is on the wall i.e. wallpaper.
This is of course, how many wallflowers feel? As if they are part of the wall. Not seen.
They are static, having no life – like wallpaper. Attractive maybe to look at but not really there.
See these photographs, taken whilst Claire was out on a walk, of a wallflower happily growing on top of a three-foot wall.
Somehow, the wallflower has grown through the cracks of this old stone wall and emerged on the top. There are few plants that could achieve this level of resilience.
This exemplifies the extraordinary capacity of the wallflower to survive and to flourish. This same capacity lives in you.
Wallflowers as Wallpaper
Another reader of the book, interpreted the word wallflower in a completely different way. A wallflower that is on the wall i.e. wallpaper.
This is of course, how many wallflowers feel? As if they are part of the wall. Not seen.
They are static, having no life – like wallpaper. Attractive maybe to look at but not really there.
When I chose the sunflower as a metaphor for the quality of confidence that I believed it was possible for wallflowers to achieve though the Sunflower Effect, I had no idea how appropriate it was. The more I explored the sunflower, the more the depth and breadth of what the sunflower represented amazed me, and just how inspiring it was.
The sunflower is far more than a cheery image on a margarine container. Several of my clients, when they heard the title of my book, told me of the profound significance that the sunflower had for them.
One brave woman, who had faced enormous challenges in her life, told me about the deep resonance she had with sunflowers. As a result, she deliberately cultivated sunflowers in her garden as they represented the hope she had for herself and her life, and not surprisingly she had made enormous strides through her work with me.
Another always carried a sunflower doll around with her, and often wore a jumper with a huge sunflower on the front, as well as surrounding herself with symbols of sunflowers around her home, on her devices etc.
The sun is perhaps the most common image chosen by participants to represent the breakthrough they are seeking and how they want to be and feel.
Claire Schrader
Photo credit Wolfgang Hasselmann Unsplash
Sunflowers and the Fibonacci Sequence
The pattern of seeds within a sunflower follows the Fibonacci sequence, or 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144… If you remember back to math class, each number in the sequence is the sum of the previous two numbers.
In sunflowers, the spirals you see in the center are generated from this sequence — there are two series of curves winding in opposite directions, starting at the center and stretching out to the petals, with each seed sitting at a certain angle from the neighboring seeds to create the spiral.”
“Sunflowers are more than just beautiful food — they’re also a mathematical marvel.”
The pattern of seeds within a sunflower follows the Fibonacci sequence, or 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144… If you remember back to math class, each number in the sequence is the sum of the previous two numbers.
In sunflowers, the spirals you see in the center are generated from this sequence — there are two series of curves winding in opposite directions, starting at the center and stretching out to the petals, with each seed sitting at a certain angle from the neighboring seeds to create the spiral.”
Justin Timberlake, Johnny Depp, David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, Emily Watson, Richard Branson and Bob Dylan have all experienced in some degree: shyness, being reserved, or anxiety
Notice how drama, performance and speaking have enabled them to achieve extraordinary success. It has changed them from “wallflowers into sunflowers”. They may still experience some level of shyness, but it doesn’t stop them from expressing their gifts.
Johnny Deppp
Justin Timberlake
Emily Watson
Julia Roberts
Meryl StreepLady Gaga
Stephen Spielberg
Bob Dylan
Richard Branson
See more about their individual stories in these links:
The story of the injured ex-paratrooper who gained so much weight that he could barely walk. Through sheer determination and willingness to fail many, many times, he achieved far beyond what he thought was possible for him.
Chapter Four: The End of the Wallflower
Claire as a happy baby before the series of events that made her into a wallflower
Claire was 13 when this picture was taken, but I looked much younger. She remembers this as a painful time.
A school photograph when Claire was 16-17 (far left middle row).
Although she was probably not so different from many of the other girls her age, I had no sense of identity. She was acutely aware of how invisible she was. She was dazzled by the confident girls who could just be themselves. I longed to be like them.
Claire as a student nurse at Kings College Hospital – middle back.
She was full of enthusiasm for nursing – but she soon found she was a square peg in a round hole. She alternated between periods of ill health and depression.
Now she is rarely ill – and she can’t remember the last time she was depressed. If you are constantly battling with viruses or ill health, this may be your body telling you that there is another path waiting for you. A path of fulfilment, where the bugs rarely get to you.
This photo was probably taken in her nursing days when she was beginning to dream that her life could be different. She had no idea then how different it was going to be.
A production photo from Claire’s first term at university, which was the start of her journey to confidence.
Her confidence literally transformed overnight. She was speaking up in tutorials and seminars on top of having the best time at university she could ever have.
AFTER: A photo from the full page spread article in SHE magazine, featuring her outrageous fire-eating act “La Dame de Flamme” where she terrified a volunteer from the audience. No longer the quiet, shy girl.
Chapter Four: The End of the Wallflower
Claire as a happy baby before the series of events that made her into a wallflower
Claire was 13 when this picture was taken, but I looked much younger. She remembers this as a painful time.
A school photograph when Claire was 16-17 (far left middle row).
Although she was probably not so different from many of the other girls her age, I had no sense of identity. She was acutely aware of how invisible she was. She was dazzled by the confident girls who could just be themselves. I longed to be like them.
Claire as a student nurse at Kings College Hospital – middle back.
She was full of enthusiasm for nursing – but she soon found she was a square peg in a round hole. She alternated between periods of ill health and depression.
Now she is rarely ill – and she can’t remember the last time she was depressed. If you are constantly battling with viruses or ill health, this may be your body telling you that there is another path waiting for you. A path of fulfilment, where the bugs rarely get to you.
This photo was probably taken in her nursing days when she was beginning to dream that her life could be different. She had no idea then how different it was going to be.
A production photo from Claire’s first term at university, which was the start of her journey to confidence.
Her confidence literally transformed overnight. She was speaking up in tutorials and seminars on top of having the best time at university she could ever have.
AFTER: A photo from the full page spread article in SHE magazine, featuring her outrageous fire-eating act “La Dame de Flamme” where she terrified a volunteer from the audience. No longer the quiet, shy girl.
Books mentioned in From Wallflower to Sunflower
The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness
by Prof Steve Peters (Paperback – 2012)
Highly recommended in your journey from Wallflower to Sunflower. Prof Steve Peter explains how your brain works, particularly the “chimp” part of your brain. One of the reasons why it’s so hard to make progress. This book will help you to understand and thus overcome the critical voice which is one of the chief enemies of confidence and self esteem.
Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking
by Susan Cain (Hardcover – 29 Mar 2012)
The best book I’ve read about being an introvert. Susan Cain has taken the world by storm with her books and given hope to so many introverts. She’s done an enormous amount of research to deepen your understanding of what it is to be an introvert. Essential reading if you are an introvert. She started The Quiet Revolutionencouraging introverts to take their place in the world – and raising awareness of the unique qualities of introverts.
The Power Of Intention: Change The Way You Look At Things And The Things You Look At Will Change: Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way
by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer (Paperback 2009)
Many authors have written about the power of intention. I’ve read many of Wayne Dyer’s books as well as been to one of his events. The man is a delight and he has helped thousands to change their attitudes. He has now died but his message lives on. Read any of his books and possibilities will open up for you.
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You
by Elaine N. Aron (Paperback – 1999)
Are you highly sensitive? Many of my participants are, and when you are that sensitive it means you haven’t got that tough skin that will enable you to survive the knocks that are an inevitable part of our social interactions with other people. Many people’s lives have been changed by reading this book.
Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life
by Byron Katie (Paperback – 2002)
I mention this book in Bonus 2. Fantastic book if you are stuck in anger, resentment and any of those overpowering negative emotions. This book will show you a pathway out of this.
The method is very simple but the effect profound – giving you a way of freeing yourself from these negative states.
Synchrodestiny: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence to Create Miracles
by Deepak Chopra (Paperback – 2005)
Fascinating book about synchronicity – something that many people start experiencing when they do my courses.Suddenly someone walks into their lives, or something happens that enables them to revaluate thier priorities and find a much more fulfilling path. This book will show you how and why this works – and help you to tap into the power of intention – bringing left and right brain together.
The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness
by Prof Steve Peters (Paperback – 2012)
Highly recommended in your journey from Wallflower to Sunflower. Prof Steve Peter explains how your brain works, particularly the “chimp” part of your brain. One of the reasons why it’s so hard to make progress.
This book will help you to understand and thus overcome the critical voice which is one of the chief enemies of confidence and self esteem.
Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking
by Susan Cain (Hardcover – 29 Mar 2012)
The best book I’ve read about being an introvert. Susan Cain has taken the world by storm with her books and given hope to so many introverts. She’s done an enormous amount of research to deepen your understanding of what it is to be an introvert. Essential reading if you are an introvert. She started The Quiet Revolutionencouraging introverts to take their place in the world – and raising awareness of the unique qualities of introverts.
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You
by Susan Cain (Hardcover – 29 Mar 2012)
Are you highly sensitive? Many of my participants are, and when you are that sensitive it means you haven’t got that tough skin that will enable you to survive the knocks that are an inevitable part of our social interactions with other people. Many people’s lives have been changed by reading this book.
The Power Of Intention: Change The Way You Look At Things And The Things You Look At Will Change: Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way
by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer (Paperback 2009)
Many authors have written about the power of intention. I’ve read many of Wayne Dyer’s books as well as been to one of his events. The man is a delight and he has helped thousands to change their attitudes. He has now died but his message lives on. Read any of his books and possibilities will open up for you.
Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life
by Byron Katie (Paperback – 2002)
I mention this book in Bonus 2. Fantastic book if you are stuck in anger, resentment and any of those overpowering negative emotions. This book will show you a pathway out of this.
The method is very simple but the effect profound – giving you a way of freeing yourself from these negative states.
Watch this video whilst doing the commitment exercises or when you need a bit of a boost. Applause is powerful as it goes deep into our psyche. This is why drama is so powerful, because it naturally stimulates applause.
Freud developed the idea that our unconscious knows no difference between real and simulated/imagined events. See this article by Joe Gibson on Medium. So your unconscious knows no difference between real applause and applause on this video, if you can allow it. Hearing the sound of clapping on this video will send powerful messages into your unconscious where you hold your painful memories.
So close your eyes and receive the applause as if it was truly coming to you. You can think of a reason for the applause, or you can just receive the applause because you are who you are. For “being” as opposed to being applauded for “doing”. This video goes on for an hour for those times when you’re locked into your negative thoughts or you’re going through a painful time.
Equally powerful is this video of the most uplifting tracks from Gladiator. This YouTuber has put together 3 tracks. It’s 8 minutes long.
Bonus 3: The Self Confidence Myth
You will receive this E:book when you sign up for the bonuses
This infographic illustrates why confidence is an issue for so many people.
