We are all Creative, Resourceful and Whole

It’s one of the first things we learn at co-active coach training. In fact, early on, I remember one of our instructors saying, “if there’s anything you take from this, let it be that you know nothing” – referring to our temptation to try and solve others’ problems with what we think is best for them, instead of leading them to their own answers. It’s because we have the answers already, for ourselves and as far as others go, we indeed know nothing.

We are Creative
I am going to step out on a limb here and say that we are all creative. Thinking back to when we were children and what we enjoyed doing can sometimes point us to our area of creativity. You may not be able to paint, draw, or twist balloons into cool animal shapes, but I be there is a creative side of you in there somewhere. It’s just sometimes not so obvious. Some people are good at taking over a business and turning it around, making it profitable – that too is creativity! Creativity can be so useful in helping us get closer to the life we want to live. It allows us to problem-solve, to arrange steps in the desired direction and imagination to picture what life could be. We are creative in thinking through challenges to possible solutions. All of us may go about it in a unique way, but the ability to be creative is within each of us.

We are Resourceful
Once you realize that you are resourceful, the less others’ opinions will matter. We all know what we want or don’t want. We can feel it, and that’s good enough. I know for myself, I usually feel it before I can explain it. And just because I can’t explain a decision doesn’t make it any less authentic. It’s usually a while later that I’ll look back and realize with words why I felt a certain way about a situation. You can trust your feelings. A coach can be helpful here in assisting a person in unearthing what is already there – but that is the key – the answer is there. Everything you need is within you.

We are Whole
For a big part of my life, I believed the opposite of this – I was taught that I was in need of something outside of myself to make me whole. What freedom when I realized that that line of thinking was rooted in fear and control and that it was just plain wrong. Know that you are perfect and whole just as you are, and in need of nothing to make you into something better. You are awesome!

And one more reminder - everything you need is within you – creativity, resourcefulness and wholeness. Don’t forget it.