by ableadership | Jun 23, 2020 | Blog
Dear Leader,
Every time I run a coaching session, my favorite part is to carefully read the feedback forms from each participant. Why is it that I get excited about seeing this feedback? It obviously not only helps me to improve my program designs and delivery methods, but it gives me incredible insights into the individual participant which motivates me to do more especially when I receive positive comments of lives transformed by the sessions.
Recently, I got one that deeply reminded me the core of my why. Why do I do what I do? The comment in the feedback form went like “ I wish I did this coaching program 18 years ago when I had just started my career” – Harriet
This captured my attention because I could totally relate! Ever since I got on a more intentional personal growth journey, I have seen exponential growth than I had not seen before.
She wished that if she knew then what she knows now, she would have been more intentional about her own growth, raised her self-awareness levels, invested more in herself, so that she could be whatever she was created to be to fulfill her potential. Until now she had placed the responsibility for her growth on her employer.
18 years ago, I was still figuring this out myself and therefore could not have been of much help to her then. I would not have been able to take her through this program. At this point in my life, I’m grateful that I have evolved and grown, and can be a resource to the young and old to help them fast track their career and growth.
The good news is that it is never too late. In my article “Designing your vision for success”, I share a story of the KFC founder who figured out his natural talent and passion at the age of 65 years old. Sometimes, it’s that introspection about missed opportunities that provide transformational teachable moments that propel us forward. It’s actually never a loss.
It is true that sometimes you win and some times you “learn”. So, to Harriet I say, this experience provides you an opportunity to change something, to reflect, re-evaluate your journey and decide to live the rest of your life with a growth mindset.
Reflect on this.
What do you know now that you wish you knew then? What can you do today to make up for the lost time? Remember growth doesn’t just happen, it is very intentional.
