It was always so easy when were kids. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Remember that question? We all had the answer, just like that. "I want to be an astronaut, a veterinarian, a school teacher!" As we grow up life moves us in directions we don't plan on and soon we are in a career. If we are lucky, it is one that we are passionate about, that moves us and makes us excited to go to work in the morning. It took 43 years for me, with the last five dreaming about the day that I would wake from my dreams, grab a cup of coffee and walk to my office just a few shorts steps from the coffee pot.
I have been developing and preparing for this time for the last five years with the help of my life coach. Even with economic times being what they are, the time was now to take the leap of faith. Life coaching for Super Women, consulting for nonprofit organizations, and training the up and coming new leaders of our time, who wouldn't love this work? Sure, it's scary where the next paycheck is coming from, but the pride and excitement I feel is worth every scary day. Not to mention, a healthy dose of fear gets me out of bed early to tackle yet another marketing campaign. And still, I know with every fiber of my being that this is the right move and it will be as successful as I want it to be.
I was 22 years old when my daughter was born and 23 when my son came along. My marriage ended a short time later leaving me with two small children to raise on my own. I loved being a mom, but let’s face it, raising kids alone and working full time does not leave a lot of time for chasing dreams. When I reached 40 both my children were off to live their lives and I felt lost. I hadn’t focused on myself in so long; I really didn’t know who I was or what I wanted in life. I set a couple goals, one being finding a healthy relationship that was fulfilling and two, find someone to help me figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life.
Along came my life coach.
Today, three years later, my day begins with a kiss from my husband as he heads off to work. I slip on my bunny slipper, grab a cup of coffee and walk just a few short steps to my office where I have two sleeping dogs at my feet, a laptop, cell phone and an unlimited supply of joy and contentment. I even have time to work on my novel, another lifelong dream. If you haven't found this level of fulfillment, why not consider a life coach yourself?
A life coach will become one of your trusted partners as the two of you find what empowers you and moves you to accomplish those dreams you dare not to dream about anymore. They never go away. They just need a dusting off and a plan. Maybe you will find that life coaching is what you want to do, as I did. I have always been a "life coach" if you consider that all my friends and family have come to me since I was a teenager for support and advice. It is in my nature, I just needed the support and confidence to venture out and commit to working for myself.
Take it from me; my life coach was the best investment I ever made in myself. My life is more fulfilling than I could have imagined. My coach and I—together we even surpassed my dreams. What will your second act look like?