What Real Happiness Looks Like (And Why You Might Be Missing It)
Are you happy? I mean, are you really happy? Not happy with your current car, relationship, job, house, or wardrobe. Are you happy with your life? Tough to answer, right? Not least because how in the heck can you know for sure one way or the other? After all, isn’t happiness subjective? Isn’t it ever-changing? […]
Setting Goals That Actually Matter
Not every goal matters, no matter how SMART you make it. For years, I set goals that meant nothing to me. The reason? If you’re not living as your authentic self, your goals can’t have true meaning. When you’re living someone else’s interpretation of your life, the goals you pursue won’t matter to you either. But when you discover who you really are and commit to becoming that person, everything changes. Your goals align with your values, strengths and passions. Before setting your next goal, take time to reconnect with the real you.
The Truman Show:
Breaking Free from Your Manufactured Existence
In The Truman Show, the protagonist faces a stark choice: remain in a comfortable, manufactured existence or break free into an uncertain but authentic life. It’s a choice we all face. Deep down, we know when we’re living in a “fake show,” yet we find endless excuses to stay trapped—we’re in too deep, we’ve left it too late, we have too many responsibilities. But it’s never too late to become who you truly are. When you discover your authentic self, even those spinning plates and juggling balls of adult life become easier to manage.
From Devastation to Transformation:
Breaking Free from the Expectations Trap
Three seemingly innocuous words—”Consistently Exceeding Expectations”—launched me onto a trajectory of devastation, restoration, and transformation. Despite outward success, no achievement could satisfy the longing in my soul until devastation stripped everything away. Only then could restoration reveal who I truly was, disconnected from what truly mattered. Finally, transformation invited me into the adventure of becoming my authentic self. Don’t waste time in unwinnable struggles or on paths leading nowhere. Skip devastation and restoration—welcome transformation as your travelling companion on the journey to your best self.
We Are All Just Syllables:
Taking Your Place in the Greater Story
We’re all connected, yet many of us end up on lonely paths, convinced our vision must stand alone. I once believed my life was a self-contained book, but discovered a humbling truth: I’m merely a syllable in the greater story. Like the ‘tho’ in ‘thorough’, we may seem imperceptible within the whole, yet without us, the entire meaning changes. Inside the story, we bring and receive meaning; outside, we’re just isolated letters. You were meant to blaze your own trail, but never alone. Will you take your place in the greatest story ever written?
Decide and Do:
Turning Your Ideas into Action
When coaching clients, I’m often amazed by their tidal wave of ideas—but also their frustration when these ideas don’t become reality. A successful entrepreneur friend shared his simple secret: “I decided, and I did it.” For your dream to materialise, there comes a point when you must actually do something. Try this approach: First, declare an ideas embargo—stop generating new concepts until you’ve worked through existing ones. Next, filter your ideas, keeping only those that move you toward your vision. Then, make a plan with clear direction. Finally, take action—because without it, ideas remain just that.
Rediscovering the Real You:
Breaking Free
Remember when everything seemed possible? When you pursued life with the heart of a lion? What happened? You became a version of yourself constructed by others—compliant, non-disruptive, and utterly unlike your true self. But the real you never disappeared—just slipped from view, overshadowed by personas created to fit in. Your potential remains, waiting to be unleashed. Breaking free starts with identifying your biggest obstacles and disappointments, then imagining life without them. Take one small step today toward dismantling these barriers, and piece by piece, your authentic self will emerge again.
Being vs Doing:
It’s About Who You Are, Not What You Do
One of my most used phrases is “I’ll just…”—as in “I’ll just finish this, then take a break” or “I’ll just make these calls, then spend time with family.” Sound familiar? These good intentions rarely work out because there’s always something else to do. For years, I prioritised doing above being, believing the work I do was more important than the person I am. Facing my own mortality changed this perspective. How much more could you create if you become all you’re meant to be? What if creation became simply a by-product of your being, rather than your reason for being?
Beyond Achievement:
Finding Your True Purpose
What are you living for? Raising children, excelling in your career, achieving financial security, or conquering physical challenges are all worthwhile pursuits. But once accomplished, why do they often leave us still searching for more? This post explores the difference between what you do and who you are, revealing how connecting your innate strengths with your core values creates a life of authentic purpose and meaning that goes beyond external achievements.
Redefining Success:
Your Personal Definition
We’re constantly told what success should look like: fancy houses, flashy cars, stellar careers. But what if true success looks nothing like those images? If you chase a version of success that doesn’t align with your authentic values, you’ll end up living an uncomfortable interpretation of the life you were meant for. Discover how to define what success really means for you, and start building a future you genuinely want to live.
