Something that gives me great satisfaction and enjoyment in life is when I help people to find hidden strengths and talents and to use more of their potential.

I am extremely grateful that I have the opportunity to do work that I love and to support people to “be the best they can be”. It is hugely satisfying for me to observe people grow, develop and flourish.

It is quite common when I first start working with clients on a one to one basis that they are very self-critical and hard on themselves.

They talk about that they are not very good at, setbacks they have had and things that did not work out. They constantly play the comparison game – comparing their progress in life to that of others, such as old school friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors etc.

This way of being is not helped by the instant gratification society that we now live in and the pressure that people feel from the media they read and watch or the marketing messages that bombard them daily.

Some people talk about what they don’t want and do not always find it easy to articulate what they do want. Some find it challenging to clearly state or acknowledge what they have accomplished and achieved in life.

It appears to me that it’s not because people do not know deep down what they desire, sometimes they simply have not given themselves permission to get off the hamster wheel, to pause, reflect and take stock.

Some feel to do so is too self-indulgent. It can be that they have never been encouraged to “be the best they can be” or had the right support to stretch and challenge themselves.

In my experience, when clients do take the time to focus on their needs and desires they get clarity and discover hidden gifts and treasures and it is great to watch this happening and very rewarding.

Although we may share common habits, beliefs and interests with other people, we are all unique and have the ability to write our own life script. We all have the opportunity and choice to reduce pressure on ourselves when we quit the comparing our results in life to that of others and instead review our progress against the goals and standards that we set for ourselves.

I firmly believe that the right answers for our unique life experience lie within us. However, In order to find the right answers occasionally we need to give ourselves some space and ask ourselves some key questions.

A great illustration of how answers can be inside us is the story below that I came across many years ago, told by Earl Nightingale who was a great speaker and author. He was known as the “Dean of Personal Development”

Earl Nightingale talked about a farmer who lived in Africa and through a visitor became tremendously excited about looking for diamonds.

Diamonds were already discovered in abundance on the African continent and the farmer got so excited about the idea of millions of pounds worth of diamonds that he sold his farm to head out to the diamond line. He wandered all over the continent, as the years slipped by, constantly searching for diamonds, wealth, which he never found. Eventually he went completely broke and threw himself into a river and drowned.

Meanwhile, the new owner of his 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 in viewing the rock told the new owner of the farm that the funny looking rock on his mantle 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. The original farmer was literally standing on ‘Acres of Diamonds’ until he sold his farm.

According to Earl Nightingale the farm turned out to be Kimberley Diamond Mines – one of the richest mines in the world!

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. As the old proverb says, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!

This week why not give yourself permission to pause for a few minutes, reflect and ask yourself some questions to bring you greater clarity and maybe discover some untapped potential.

Here are some suggestions:-

  • What brings you the greatest happiness and satisfaction in life?
  • What 5 personal accomplishments are you most proud of?
  • What would you like to achieve professionally and personally in the next 12 months?
  • What would you do today if you were really brave?
  • What are you most grateful for in life?

Quote for the week:

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

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