Recently, I had one of those entrepreneurial brain meltdowns. You know, those…
What do I think I’m doing?
This is harder than I thought it would be.
Why aren’t things going the way I expected?
When do I get to retire so I can just read and knit all day? (ha!)
The crazy thing is that I know how to self-coach out of this muck. But I ignored that option. Instead I went to bed clenching my teeth and had whacked-out dreams about people refusing treatment in the hospital (yes, self-coaching is like a hospital to me).
The next morning I got up and did what I was scheduled to do: went on-site with a client and got in the trenches with some of the hardest-working people I have ever met.
Looking around that conference room, I felt utterly inspired by the fine people that I am privileged to serve. They are making a big, juicy difference in the world because of their willingness to do whatever it takes… to write one more article… to code one more page… to make mistakes so that we can all learn together… to laugh when we get frustrated… to help each other relentlessly… ultimately, to show up.
Do you remember this bit of dialog from The Sixth Sense?
Cole Sear: I see dead people.
Malcolm Crowe: In your dreams?
[Cole shakes his head no]
Malcolm Crowe: While you’re awake?
[Cole nods]
Malcolm Crowe: Dead people like, in graves? In coffins?
Cole Sear: Walking around like regular people. They don’t see each other. They only see what they want to see. They don’t know they’re dead.
Malcolm Crowe: How often do you see them?
Cole Sear: All the time. They’re everywhere.
Surrounded by that team, I thought to myself: I see good people. What if they don’t know how deep-down good they really are? I want to tell them every chance I get. I was moved and motivated; it was a better day. More productive? Not necessarily. More satisfying? Absolutely.
I see good people in my community, my peers, my friends and my family. The experience of being with my team, whoever they are, may just be more valuable than remembering to self-coach or push through or release the negative energy.
Relationships around a shared purpose give me hope that I sometimes find hard to maintain when I try to function as a solitary point in space.
I see good people. All the time. They’re everywhere.
I’m willing to bet that you’re one of them.
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By Laurie Foley
Laurie Foley helps solo professionals discover their natural brand so that they can get clear, get noticed and get clients. Sign up to receive your free copy of The Inner Brandifesto, her popular guidebook full of brand-building exercises.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Laurie – you are good people! Thank you for the great post today that “gave ME hope that I sometimes (today, for example…) find hard to maintain when I try to function as a solitary point in space”.
YOU and YOUR WORK are wonderful! Thank you.
.-= Delanie´s last blog ..Dear Mother Nature =-.
Thanks for this post Laurie and for holding up the light of illumination! When people come together to create something of deep worth, the inner sense that is created is beyond words–it’s so satisfying. Thanks for acknowledging what we all sometimes forget. Lots of living people and lots of life to tap into!
@Delanie – With little ones in the house, it’s especially easy to feel alone. At least, I did! You’re definitely part of my community and it’s great to see your face lighting up the comments here.
@Maura – You help people remember that in everything you do and you consistently challenge me toward “deep worth” (love that phrase!).
.-= Laurie Foley´s last blog ..I See Good People =-.
Nice! It’s awesome to read positive thoughts. Nothing self-serving and no sales pitch, just pure goodness. You just made my Sunday.
.-= Dave Wilkinson´s last blog ..Thesis sites of the week for April 2nd 2010 =-.
Yeah, I see good people too! They’re everywhere online, and in the two cities I live in. (Raleigh and Atlanta) I’m jealous of your being in a conference room with big juicy people who want to make a difference. I don’t get NEARLY enough of that experience as a writer and coach. This jealousy is a sure sign that I want more big juicy conferences in my life.
I see dead people too, though, people who only see what they want to see. What’s great about this ability to see dead people though, is that as a life coach, I get to watch while they come alive again.
@Dave – aw, thanks! I hope I can make your day again sometime.
@Hadley – Love that you’re seeing dead people come back to life! You nailed it – they only see what they want to see.