Using The Past To Build The Future
Not unlike many of my John Maxwell Team colleagues, my journey to becoming a certified coach, speaker and trainer, involved transitioning from a career far from it.
Working in the construction industry for thirty years allowed me to witness, and be part of, good leadership, poor leadership, and no leadership. During that part of my life, I had the opportunity to speak, coach and train, but never thought it would become my new career.
What has been even more revealing is not only did it become my new career, but my new passion, and as I began to understand during this transformation – my purpose.
What I never understood along the way is that a thirty year career in anything can result in your identity becoming more about what you do than who you are. I didn’t realize it along the way, as it happens slowly over time, that I became a “what” instead of a “who” – and I didn’t even know it.
So fast forward almost three years. I know exactly who I am now and I can thank the John Maxwell Team mentors and fellow mentees for helping me see clearly my new identity. Maybe it is better said that my identity was always there, it simply got lost along the way as I became consumed by the J-O-B.
As a believer in the Maxwell coaching philosophy, I believe that change can only come from within. The problem is that we don’t know what we don’t know and until you put yourself in an environment conducive to seeing with new perspective and clarity, you simply remain stuck where you are. That’s if you’re lucky!
I had ended up lost in a purpose driven by a paycheck and only through the support and encouragement of my mentors and teammates did I find a new purpose that truly aligns with who I am. I had dedicated my life to civil construction for thirty years and now I am building something different. I am building what matters, and what matters is people!
One of the biggest assets I believe I have is my story and being part of the John Maxwell Team has empowered and educated me to be able to use that story to make a positive difference in the lives of others. And not just a difference, but a difference that makes a difference.
You see, I believe the greatest gift you can give someone is to believe in them. My journey in the business world has given me the experience to see how important building self-confidence is in others and the Maxwell Philosophy has resourced me to be able to do just that.
Carl Jung said “The greatest tragedy of the family is the unlived lives of the parents.” I would take that a step further and make the statement that the greatest tragedy in any life is to not live the life you were designed to live.
I know a lot of people who are not living, in fact, I was one of them. Understanding how far I have come and how much I now embrace life, I know that my purpose is helping others to find that life they desire and feel the same fulfillment that I do. I now get to do what I want to do instead of what I have to do.
As we leave 2013 behind and begin a New Year, I leave you with a question and a challenge. Are you living the life you desire, the life you were designed to live? If you’re not, what is the one next thing you need to do? Now go do it!
About the author
Barry started a leadership development business called Building What Matters in 2011.
An international speaker, trainer and coach focused on leadership, communication and personal growth, Barry adds value to those around him every day.
Barry believes in building what matters and what matters is people.
Contact Barry at http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/barrysmith to learn more about what he does to Build what Matters!