“Focus on your potential instead of your limitations.” Alan Loy McGinnis.

Last week, I talked about coaching and some of the skills used by a coach. One of the results of effective coaching is that it helps people to discover hidden strengths and fulfil more of their potential.

It guides people to find the right answers and solutions to challenges they have. It also assists them to determine the actions they can take to accomplish their dreams and goals. Often the answers are right under someone’s nose but they can’t see the wood for the trees! Coaching provides them with clarity and a clear way forward.

A story I love about how answers can be close by, is one I came across many years ago which was told by Earl Nightingale. He was a great speaker and author and known as the ‘Dean of Personal Development.’

Earl Nightingale talked about a farmer who lived in Africa and became tremendously motivated about looking for diamonds. An abundance of diamonds had already been discovered on the African continent. The farmer got so excited about the idea of finding millions of pounds worth of diamonds, that he sold his farm to head out to the diamond line. He wandered all over the continent. Years slipped by as he constantly searched for diamonds and wealth, which he never found. Eventually he went completely broke and threw himself into a river and sadly drowned.

Meanwhile, the new owner of the farm picked up an unusual looking rock about the size of a country egg and put it on his mantle as a sort of curiosity. A visitor stopped by and started exploring the rock on the farmer’s mantle. The farmer was astounded to be told by the visitor that the funny looking rock was about the biggest diamond that had ever been found.

The new owner of the farm said, “the whole farm is covered with them”‘ and sure enough it was. Prior to going off in his search for diamonds, the original farmer was literally standing on ‘Acres of Diamonds’ until he sold his farm.

Earl Nightingale said that each of us is right in the middle of our own ‘Acre of Diamonds’ if only we would realize it and develop the ground we are standing on before charging off in search of greener pastures.

This week, why not pause for a few moments to reflect. Consider what habits or routines you need to change in order to improve your results and fulfil more of your potential.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk