“As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world…as in being able to remake ourselves.”  – Mahatma Gandhi

I grew up with a very peculiar belief about how books were written. In my young mind, a book was a pristine creation, and a good author was defined by his ability to deliver the perfect plot on his first attempt.

Strangely enough, I went through life with similar beliefs. I finished my studies, found a job, entered the career wagon, got married, became a mother, and progressed through life and career almost on automatic pilot.

During a career break in Japan, I wrote my first children’s story. I had the perfect plot, along with a great storyline and characters, so my creation should also be perfect at first attempt right?

It can happen of course, but that is more the exception rather than the rule. In brief, authors write their stories, get feedback, write second and even third drafts, and get them reviewed by editors. Once they have an agent they get even more feedback, make even more adjustments, and the perfect story is accomplished as a result of months of intentional improvements and deliberate effort.

Why should something as complex as managing your life and career be any different?

Book editors review your grammatical mistakes, question the meaning of sentences you assume to be crystal clear,  and challenge your beliefs about the consistency of  your characters and  plot. My children’s story evolved with a similar process which gave me life-long lessons on how to use feedback to my advantage, as well as insights about the self-publishing world.

Life and career coaches – Life and Career Editors, as I call them – can do exactly the same with your life and career. They are particularly effective when you are going through major transitions, facing challenges, or searching for or about to embrace a new path.

They help you recognise, and challenge, your limiting beliefs which exist at a subconscious level. Often, we don’t know that they are conditioning us until a professional points them out.

A professional coach who is emphatic and trustworthy is a member of a professional coaching organisation; has proven expertise in the areas in which you require support; and can help change your perspective, clear obstacles, and empower you to lead new ways.

Working with a life and career coach has helped me assess the in-depth reasons behind my decisions, how to overcome obstacles, and gain confidence to embrace new paths.

I’ve had the privilege of working with several coaches, either on Human resources assignments or as a coachee.  Since then, I’ve become an advocate of using specialized professionals as an accelerator for personal and career growth. These, together with a mentor, a mastermind group and professional networks can really support one’s personal development.

It’s very challenging to get life right on your first draft. Personal, career, and health coaches, therapists, healers… they can all help you find balance, redesign your life, and be deliberate towards what you want to achieve.

This text you are now reading will be revised by an editor. Our lives can be reflected upon, fine-tuned, cleared of obstacles with intentional work and specialised support.

A manuscript that has been improved several times, and received constructive feedback, has higher chances of becoming a bestseller.

Life and career fulfilment and success – no matter how you define it – can be achieved. You just need to keep intentionally rewriting and improving your personal story.

^{Edited by Michelle Sarthou
Image credit: Shutterstock}

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