Is Your Life In Motion?

Ever since the Internet bubble and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I've seen many people; including friends and family lose their jobs and/or personal fortunes overnight. The struggling economy has been merciless on the job market. It has affected every industry at every level, from line operators in manufacturing plants to upper management of Fortune 500's. I was confident back then, that if I were thrown into such a situation I would be prepared. Late in 2001, I experienced my own version of downsizing, when I sold my delivery and logistics business. What I actually did, was sell myself out of a job. After the sale was completed, I was suddenly questioning what to do with my life. The sale provided tremendous advantages, allowing me the financial flexibility and time to actually put some real thought behind this decision. I was convinced that within 3-6 months of the sale, I would be happily and successfully on my professional way. I've always thought of myself as an active participant in my own life, never sitting on the sidelines waiting for an opportunity to seek me out. I have to admit, it was one of the most difficult times, requiring enormous soul searching and reflection. And just think, I asked for this and knew it was coming. During my first year of "planned unemployed", I tried day trading, business consulting, writing a screenplay, producing a film, graduate school and a variety of new hobbies. All of these career options were well thought out. I was just waiting to see which one would stick. Well, guess what? None of them provided enough enthusiasm to further pursue. This is when the panic really set in. I was back at the drawing board, thinking of new business ideas and developing extensive lists of pros and cons for each. Over the next few months, I drove my wife, family, friends and myself crazy with dozens of career/business ideas.

In the end, I was no closer to making a decision. I now knew firsthand what everyone else was going through and I was doing exactly the same, just spinning my wheels. The words came screaming through in a song I heard by Colin Hay, titled "Waiting for my real life to begin." I was sitting at my desk looking at one of my newest career lists, music playing in the background. A verse kept repeating that described how I was feeling at that very moment, "Don't you understand, I already have a plan, I'm waiting for my real life to begin."

I realized then that I wasn't being productive but instead I was confusing it with being busy, two completely different things. What was lacking in my life was accountability. When you are put in a situation where all the decisions are yours, it's very easy to change your mind. Who's going to call you on it? You can rationalize to the end of the earth why you did or didn't do something. Thankfully, at the time I was career hunting, the bookstores were flooded with new titles dealing with exactly this issue.

I came across a book by Po Bronson, titled " What Should I do With My Life." Although reading the book didn't provide me an immediate solution, it did point me to a website with other people in my situation. I belonged again! During a discussion group, someone mentioned the success they had while working with a life coach. Immediately, I thought not for me. As I learned more about what coaching was, I thought it might be the push I needed to address my accountability problems.

After many failed attempts, I finally got enough courage to call the coach. The first couple of sessions were "feelers". General questions and the exchange of background information. Over the next few months we worked on my agenda, finding a new career. Each week I returned, I knew my coach would be there to see if I stuck to the plan. I had a partner, someone I could trust, exchange ideas with and someone just as interested as me at finding an answer. The energy from our meetings carried me from week to week. Towards the end of a year, I starting doubting I would figure the career thing out. We worked through dozens of potential scenarios together but in the end they would come up "no". I began realizing that I was talking more about my coaching experiences than about anything else.

I felt obligated to tell everyone I knew and even some people I didn't about how powerful the process was. I was finding things out about myself that I never took the time to think about. Then it came to me. Life coaching had all the things I was looking for in a career. Just think, two years ago I didn't know what a professional life coach was and now I wanted to be one. I'm happy to say I've spent the last year building my coaching practice.

My goal is to go out every day and touch at least one person through the powers of coaching. I have no regrets not finding coaching sooner. I believe we find things when we're ready, when our eyes and ears are open to seeing and listening. Life is so much more rewarding when we're not sitting around waiting for it.

For me it was life coaching that gave me the clarity and courage to take the next step. It doesn't matter who or what makes it possible for us to move forward as long as it's progress. My philosophy can be summed up in a quote I carry, "Time goes by and then it's gone, so in the end the only thing that counts is how we used it." I'm wishing everyone the courage to truly find his or her life calling, whatever that may be.

Anthony Grillo is a professional life coach and founder of Life In Motion Coaching located in New York City. He specializes in collaborating with passionate individuals to help them discover life's pathway.

If you have questions or comments please email agrillo@lifeinmotiononline.com or call 212.604.9008

---

Invest Your Inner Wealth

It started out like any other Wednesday - reports to... Read More

Email Etiquette 1

I thought it might be worth visiting some email etiquette... Read More

Walt Disney, the Inspiration to Form a Better Life?

You, like many others, may have come to this article... Read More

Personal Strategic Planning

I have a few questions for you ---What if we... Read More

Corporate Coaching - Why Coach? C(5)+ED

Is it possible to make a strong "business case for... Read More

Receiving Thanks and Praise - The View from the Other Side

We demand more from those who provide to us and... Read More

7 Destructive Habits of Incompetent People

WARNING! If you want to have a fantastic life, never... Read More

The X-factor

Would you agree that today most of us have the... Read More

Use a Journal for Self-Discovery and Self-Expression

As a therapist, I often suggest to clients that they... Read More

Cause and Effect! Choose a Path

Three steps to your Personal Transformation:Awareness and PerceptionLaw of Cause... Read More

Surviving the Workday in Your Organization

Most people suffer from stress at some time during the... Read More

Hows Your Self-Talk?

You know, what are you saying to yourself? There's always... Read More

4 Brilliant Tips to Speed Read Faster than Ever

Many people, particularly students, would love to be able to... Read More

Coaches, Do You Make These 7 Deadly Cash Flow Mistakes in Your Practice?

Managing cash flow is every small business owner's most important... Read More

5 Tips to Improve ANY Performance

Seeking improved performance at work? Wishing you could finally achieve... Read More

What Are Your Priorities?

"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want... Read More

How Not Letting Go of Your Past can Hurt Your Future

Experiences, whether good or bad, are sometimes all we have,... Read More

Moment of Magic

Laughter may or may not be a shock, relieved, but... Read More

Transitions: Moving Through Change With Grace

MOVING THROUGH CHANGECreating any major change in our lives can... Read More

Is Coaching Everything That It Is Cracked Up To Be?

Personal or business coaching has helped thousands change their lives... Read More

Executive Coaching and the American President

Perhaps no one better than a former U.S. president has... Read More

4 Ways To Avoid Looking Stupid When Making Small Talk

The fear of saying something silly and feeling embarrassed stops... Read More

Living On Purpose

The purpose of life is to live a life of... Read More

What Is Executive Presence?

Often our clients refer someone to us for Executive Coaching... Read More

Truth About Life Coaching School Accreditation

With life coaching becoming "the" career choice in this millennium,... Read More

Transform Your Office Into A Powerhouse Of Success

Did you know that the area that you call your... Read More

How to Tune In Your Brain & Feel Confident with People in Moments

One day when I was in school, many years ago,... Read More

How to Get More Business Without Even Trying

Why are you in business? Hopefully you enjoy what you... Read More

A Small Piece Of Carpet

Have you ever noticed how the way you feel about... Read More

Dont Be Jealous - Be Inspired

When we see people do things we cannot do, or... Read More

How to Deal Effectively with Anxiety

Every human feels anxiety on occasion; it is a part... Read More

What Do You Really Want ?

Being a coach is such a rewarding profession. The enormous... Read More

Can You Say No?

As a manager you are constantly being asked to do... Read More