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A quarter century ago, while at a cocktail party,
I sensed someone watching me. Ultimately, he was
introduced to me. He was a young psychiatrist
who said he was intrigued by me. I was a little
taken aback - and more than a little flattered.
"You’re unusually self-possessed,"
he said. “Most of us here are in our 30’s
– on the move – with an edge. Yet
you seem so at peace. What’s your story?
What did you do to get here?"
I didn’t have to ponder the question. “I
failed…total wipe out…didn’t
know where my next meal was coming from…and
I didn’t die. I picked up the pieces and
moved on."
“Are you saying that failure left you feeling
centered."
“Nope. Failing sucked. But, knowing that
I had survived failing, left me energized."
Since that party I’ve had a handful of
business ventures – most were successful,
some not. Remembering these years, I notice a
curious thread. The traditional, bottom-line profit
goal was rarely my highest priority - pretty unusual
for a businessman! Instead, I was most excited
about the impact I had on the lives I touched.
Building successful businesses was intellectually
and creatively challenging. A colleague once described
me as an obstetrician, who loved to give birth
to a business, then handed it over to others to
nurture into optimum profitability.
Through coaching, I’ve expanded my universe
and have connected with hundreds of people around
the world. I’ve met some at seminars; some
at teleclasses. Some I’ve learned from;
some I’ve taught. My coaching clients have
been a rich mix of executives, professionals,
entrepreneurs, coaches, therapists, artists and
artisans – all pretty terrific people. All
wanted something more.
Instead of profits, it is people who engage me.
How can I help a lawyer to embrace a new perspective
to allow him to blossom? What might I say to encourage
a salesperson to shift her earnings from $75,000
to $250,000? Each person is invited into their
own skill set. Each possesses a unique gift. Uncovering
that - grabbing a hold of that – that’s
what is so exciting.
Many coaches have this same sense – a passion
to help. Each of us has our own experiences and
training which color our approach to coaching.
I’ve had training at four different coaching
schools. I even teach for one of them. I have
a bunch of letters that I can use after my name.
But, rather than from my certifications, my coaching
soul feels rooted in that early experience of
survival. Not only do I remember life at the bottom,
I learned to climb out into the exact life I was
meant to live. And I live it.
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