Then all that is needed is a little daring…then two lives become one. – Paul Coelho.
We each have two lives – the one we are living – and the one we dream we are capable of living. Which life we choose is determined by our ability to get comfortable being uncomfortable to embrace the possibilities that lie within.
When I was a child growing up in Scotland in a working class family I was told repeatedly “not to live above my station.” That meant I was to mind my place in life, and not aspire to anything else. I would work in the factory like my mother did. and I would marry and have children, and that would be as much as I could expect.
You can see how much this idea stuck!
I have been a dreamer all my life. My first desire was to be a writer. That is evident now.
I also wanted to be a singer, and trained professionally for fourteen years, and while never being a professional singer, I did have the opportunity to be a cantor for synagogues in Paris and Amsterdam during the High Holidays for five years.
When I started my business in my mid-fifties, I was unsure about whether I could succeed, and truth be told, there has been many lean years over the time I’ve been doing this, but I don’t quit and continue to dream.
I did not settle for less in life. I have always had a clear vision of intent followed by actions Ethat have continued to guide me toward the success I desire.
Each of us have a life we are defined by. Father, mother, daughter, son, job, role, etc. These are the models we have attached ourselves to, and help us fit into what other people expect from us. But it may not be the true core of who you think you are.
Defining yourself is a life-long undertaking. We learn from our experiences, our relationships, our commitments, and our ability to deeply self-reflect on the things that matter most to us.
Within each of us is the person secretly longing to reveal more of their true self? We go to work and we put on a mask. We meet the expectations of others. We do our jobs, and we don’t always question the ways in which things are done. We accept and compromise.
I frequently ask my clients, Who Are You? and often they don’t really know. They are seeking answers but what they really need are the questions that open the doors to their understanding of this very big question.
It starts with what do I want more of? What do I want less of? What would life look like if I were being completely honest with myself?
These are scary thoughts for many, but if we are to live the life we want to live, to embrace the other person inside of us who wants to be more than they are currently, we must reflect deeply on who you truly believe you are.
Settling for anything less than what you are capable of living is a waste of talent and opportunity.
None of us want to get to our deathbed wondering… what if.
- What if we could have lived differently?
- What if we could have been truer to our own needs instead of the needs of others.
- What if we missed out on opportunities because we were too scared to step out of our comfort zone.
- What if we let life and circumstances take control, instead of controlling the ways in which we lived life more fully.
As you settle into the holidays and the fun times, consider the life you want to live next year.
Who will you be? What will you stand for? How will your life be different?
Be bold. Be courageous. Be fearless.
Are you ready to take ownership of your amazing skills and talents, be more confident in your choices, claim more authority at work and find greater confidence and comfort across all dimensions of your career and life? Check out Transformational Strategies for Success If you want more information please DM me.