From Doubt to Pride
Last week, my son graduated from college, and it was a joyous occasion celebrating his accomplishments. However, the journey to fully appreciate his achievement was eye-opening. He’s one class short of receiving his diploma due to scheduling issues, which means he’ll complete it in the summer. Initially, this made me feel like he hadn’t fully earned his degree. Walking the graduation stage seemed less meaningful.
Then, my daughter shared how proud she was of him. She highlighted that he had completed his degree in four years while working over 30 hours a week, often more. She spoke of his dedication and many qualities, bringing his strengths into my consciousness. Her perspective allowed me to see his achievement differently. I became genuinely proud of him, and the thoughts haunting me before dissipated.
This experience reminded me that while facts are important, the truth lies in the broader picture. He accomplished something remarkable that many others don’t. I’ve witnessed his sacrifices, like coming home early instead of staying out with friends because he had to work at 5 am. As a coach, I know better, right? But it’s hard to see past the trees when it’s personal.
We all tend to focus on what’s missing rather than what’s achieved. Training our brains to recognize our wins and repattern our thinking takes effort. The more we do this, the more greatness we see in ourselves and the more we can accomplish.
I had a client in the same position for 20 years. He wanted to grow in his career but was afraid to approach management. Fear and self-image were deterrents that kept him from seeing himself in a management position. He thought, “I don’t want to be middle management because they are the first to go on a layoff.” This was how his mind rationalized his decision to stay stuck.
I invited him to shift his thinking and see how much value he could add by taking the next step in his life and to his employer. To widen his view, and value his contributions. He took that step and has been in a satisfying and purposeful management role for over five years. He stopped letting fear prevent him from making the next step, fulfilling what his soul and spirit needed.
These stories highlight a common thread: we often focus on what’s not right, which stops us from shining our light. We are wired to see the negatives, the gaps, and the missing pieces. It takes conscious effort to reframe our thoughts and see the positives, the achievements, and the potential.
Marianne Williamson captured this beautifully when she said, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” We are more afraid of our own greatness than our shortcomings.
This is why it’s crucial to surround ourselves with people who uplift you and remind you of our potential. Staying connected to a community focused on growth and positive thinking is vital.
This is why I do what I do: to empower people to reach their potential. As the coach who can see your potential when you can’t see yourself, I step in when you can’t see past the forest to the trees.
Everyone needs support because when we face challenges or difficult circumstances, we are not able to see beyond what we are encouraging. We need help reframing the challenge into possibilities so we can get out of our own way and shine.
When you’re struggling to see your accomplishments or feel stuck, it’s time to reach out. Together, we’ll uncover your potential and help you see the greatness within you. Don’t let the negatives cloud your vision. Let’s retrain your thinking and open up the possibilities for your success. Let’s get started with your journey toward empowerment and achievement.
The key is recognizing that our obstacles are often of our own making. Our minds can be our greatest ally or our worst enemy. By shifting our perspective and embracing our strengths, we can achieve more than we ever thought possible.
Email me if you’d like support. Let’s work together to unlock your potential and achieve your dreams; set a plan in motion.
Believing in You!
