The road not taken

Yesterday I was able to do what I really love, that is coaching. The session was around the plan that needs to be put into motion to achieve your goals. If we look at the “time” which we find ourselves in, I am fully aware of how fortunate I am to be fulfilling my purpose, that of a life coach.

Currently many people find themselves in unemployment in industries that are unable to survive because of lock-down and borders being closed. Where does one then even begin to look for new opportunities if your industry is the one “tanking” and that is all you know? It is an extremely hard pill to swallow, but maybe now is the time to rethink if what you are doing aligns to your purpose and your core values. You will never have this luxury of time and self evaluation again. Do you really love what you do or have you “settled” because you “fell into it”?

I think about my own journey and how I “fell into” hotel sales. I had returned from cruise ships, worked as a Guest Relations Manager, but no longer enjoyed the “hotel hours”, so I applied for the position of the General Manager’s Personal Assistant. An interview was set up with a recruiter, but they felt that I was better suited as a Sales Executive. I had nothing to lose, so I went for the interview and that is how I “fell” into sales. Had the Sales Manager not taken a chance on me, who knows, what I would be doing! I remained in that position for 3 years, but I “needed more”. A friend told me about a position, which I did not think I was qualified for at all, but still applied and luckily for me, someone else decided to take a chance with me! I was able to really thrive in my position, so much so that I was put on various management programs which also included being assigned a life coach. That is where I had my first experience with coaching. It makes me realize, that had I not walked this path, I would probably never have discovered my real life’s purpose, that of now being a certified life coach.

When it comes to aligning your purpose to your values and doing what you love, I am reminded of one friend in particular whom seems to be getting it right! He absolutely loves mountain biking, so much so, that even whilst on ships, he traveled with his mountain bike so that when he had the time and opportunity, he would go off exploring on his own. At the time, I could never understand his obsession with “cycling everywhere”. Holiday time he would take his bike and go holidaying in places like Whistler in Canada. Actually he went where ever he could explore new places whilst on his 2 wheels, that would take him through amazing scenery and open spaces. Then he took 6 months off and went cycling through Asia and New Zealand! I thought he was absolutely crazy, but I followed his blog anyway and was absolutely green with envy! This was many years ago now.

Earlier this year, he was on another of his “crazy” adventures. This time he was cycling in South America through Patagonia, until his trip was cut short by COVID19 which had forced him to return home to Scotland before their borders closed. I think my colour of green changed to even greener, if that is at all possible!

Here is someone that absolutely loves travelling on his 2 wheels and somehow finds a way to pursue his passion. He is living like a local, immersing himself in the various cultures. Not only is he living his best life, but he is also “giving back” whilst doing it, cycling for a specific charity. He has managed to have a career in Engineering and every now and again go off and fulfill his passion of travel on his mountain bike.

We are both fortunate to have successful careers in other industries, whilst at the same time fulfilling our passion. This I know, neither of us takes for granted. We are amongst the lucky few.

On the flip side maybe what you are currently doing is not where your passion lies, but because of life’s various curve balls you have no other choice but to be doing what you are doing. You try and “dabble” in your passion as a weekend hobby, when in fact you would actually be absolutely brilliant at it as a full time job. Jason knows I am referring to him and his obsession with the weather, but as he points out, because of circumstances it is not always possible to be fulfilling your purpose and yes, the realist in me, does agree with him. You make the best of the hand that you are dealt. Not all of us can be Doctors even if we wanted to be!

Now life has thrown us a “curve ball” of COVID19. Life as we know it is not going to be the same again. What we do with this curve ball now is up to us. We can try and continue to fight against the current or we can take the time to discover and perhaps pursue our life’s purpose. There is no better time than now.

With the help of my life coach, I continue to work on “me”. I am determined to live my best life by fulfilling my life’s purpose.

Until next time

Love, light and positive change

Ophelia