Coaching

The fact that the Power of Positive Thinking was the first book I ever remember reading should’ve been a clue to my eventual career path. But I wanted to be a cartoonist. I was in love with all things to do with Peanuts. The genius of Charles M Schultz had a profound impact on me, and his work was more than just merely cartoons. His words were equally crucial in imparting tales of ancient wisdom through the eyes of children and a dog. However, I believe my interest in drawing was born from trauma. I would draw incessantly, and it was my way of escaping an unhappy childhood by using my imagination.

My anger was my way of navigating the world, but I realised later that this would have a catastrophic effect on my professional and personal life. You see, the problem with anger is that you attract conflict, people agree with you just for an easy life, or you repel people and opportunities. Anger creates an alternate reality that ultimately harms the angry protagonist. When my life fell apart at the age of 32, it forced me to face up to my anger. Excruciating pain does that to you, or at least it should! I was broke, jobless, and my relationship of seven years ended. I was at my rock bottom. I was in the gutter, but it was time that I looked at the stars.

The rebuilding process was slow, but I had nothing else better to do, so I took my time. I even found a coach, which was the best decision I ever made. I also took up karate to help me focus. Meditation was another piece in the jigsaw. My then teacher helped me understand that material things have no real value and that anger was unresolved hurt and a lack of self-respect. Wow! The penny didn’t just drop; the whole cash register fell on my head.

I finally found a way to channel my aggression. But more importantly, I was responding rather than reacting to situations. The quality of my life and my relationships improved. I also started to attract better opportunities. The good things that happened to me were the consequence, not the reason for my happiness. Since ground zero, I’ve been on this journey of constant and never-ending improvement.

I’m not a quitter, but I was ready to walk out of my movie all those years ago. But I’m glad I didn’t. Little did I realise that the best was yet to come. I’ve achieved so much since and met some fantastic people. I can’t imagine going back to where I came from or being that person I was before. I have inner contentment, which I’ve maintained, and it’s like I see the world with different lenses.

Some of you will want to walk out of your movie, but I urge you not to. The best is yet to come, I promise you! Your chances of being born are one in 400 trillion, so you’ve already done the hard part. I also realise that my despair produced the most incredible gift: I reclaimed my power. And as your coach, I want to help you do the same.

For more information, email me at clearfosterconsulting@gmail.com