By Kirk McCarley
Have you ever been told you had a unique skill or talent and were then challenged to do something with it? Perhaps it had something to do with a business or enterprise. “You should try opening up a boutique.” Maybe it had to do with a craft. “I believe your art would really sell.” Those with a predilection towards entertaining may have heard, “You ought to get involved with community theater.”
When I first launched my coaching business, I found myself quickly confronted with the most fundamental of operational dilemmas: how to market. Admittedly loathing self-promotion, I quickly came to the realization that any of us who own our own business have entered the world of sales.
Writing has generally come easy for me, so it was most comfortable to convey my messages in the form of blogs posted on my website and through social media. The publisher of this publication has also been generous in providing me a public forum.
Over time these blogs have accumulated to where they now well exceed a hundred. As the century mark was reached and then passed, I said to myself, “I need to do something with these.” Unrelated to that thought, that same publisher commented, “You ought to write a book.” Hmmm. That was one motivator. Business coach Diann Wingert also observed:
Should I write a book? Well, apparently, something like 81% of people dream about writing one, but only 3% of them do.”
Sure, like the 81% I had thought about writing a book. What was further motivation, however, was the 3% part. “I have never been top 3% in anything; here’s the chance.”
“Thoughts for My Kids…and Other People’s Kids,” was released on Amazon last month.
What is your book? Or if not a book, something else? What is it that you want and maybe really need to do? Is it?
- A travel dream to a long-awaited destination?
- Setting aside the time to train and then finally run that marathon?
- Honoring and memorializing your family’s heritage through cataloging letters or pictures of your ancestors into an organized and centralized manner?
- Making amends, asking for, or offering forgiveness to a family member or good friend from the past to overcome the souring of the relationship.
- Taking the time or making the commitment to learn a new language?
What holds us back? Fundamentally, it might be fear. Fear of not being successful, depending upon how we measure success. Fear of being criticized for not being good enough. Fear of the time commitment when you’re already overcommitted. “I will get to it someday,” you say, but then another day passes by.
What is it that you really want to do? Consider what some who know a thing about what it takes to overcome limiting beliefs say:
- “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” Henry Ford
- “Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again.” Richard Branson
- “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James
- “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream another dream.” C.S. Lewis
- “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky
- “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” Suzy Kassem
My wife had a classmate in high school art. She still remarks about his talent even then.
Following high school they went to different colleges. He graduated with honors, married, and pursued a “traditional” career route. After a few years, his wife became ill with cancer. Before passing, she encouraged him, “follow your dream.” That jarring loss was the catalyst that caused him to evaluate his own life and pursue what he had always wanted to do: paint.
A short time later he left his “conventional” job to “make his own little dent In the universe” as an artist. He eventually remarried and moved to France.
Thomas Darnell’s paintings have been exhibited throughout the world. The wallpaper in our master bedroom reminds us daily of Tom’s talent, perseverance, and courage.
A graduate of the University of North Texas, Kirk McCarley is a Certified Professional Coach as well as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SHRM-CP Certified. He also is a Production Assistant for both college football and basketball for ESPN and leads group cycling classes as a Certified Spinning instructor. Contact kirk@theseedsowercoach.com, theseedsowercoach.com, or call 314-677-8779.
Author: Sowal Editor
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