Why you are the best coach for yourself

Why is it so freaking important to know who you are?

Well, quite simply put -- because others know even less about you. So there's no way they are going to be better than YOU in guiding you in your way.

You can learn tons from other people, you can be mentored, coached, consulted and educated, but nobody knows better what you really need and want.

So don't rely on other people, take full responsibility of where you are and where you're going.

However most probably once you really start to stretch yourself you'll meet some obstacles that make achieving a bit more tricky than you thought. Theory is nice, but heroes are born in practice (or that's what I think at least).

Here are a few principles that have been guiding me through times when the challenge takes me near my current limits.

1) Always have a vision of where you're going

This helps you to get through the tough times. Truth is - life is always not easy, sometimes it totally puts you down, you don't get the right words at the right time from the people around you and you might start doubting yourself. Your vision keeps you on the right track and short-lived events fade out quickly.

2) Don't take critics personally, even if it gets personal

When things get hard I usually tell myself: "Well, actually everybody wants me to succeed." This little thought puts my focus back in the right place and I start taking support out of even the toughest critics. So keep your emotions for your lover and use the critics as a positive energy.

3) Act as if

If you screw up -- you screw up, what to do. Don't let your head fall as a result. Say you're sorry and move on. If someone looks at you as if you're failing -- look at your vision and act as if you'd be that person already. Always, always, always act as the best in you, doesn't matter what's the current reality. Doesn't matter if your co-workers, boss, mother or teamleader have discovered your unique talents -- you know what you've got and sooner or later you're going to shine.

4) Don't daydream, focus on getting things done

All that positive self talk is good, but it doesn't mean much if you don't bring results. There's no better kick than the feeling of succeeding -- and you get it quite easily by achieving those things that you planned for this day. Yep, this day -- your life is made out of those, so a day means much more than a year. So you need to be getting the small shots of adrenalin from little successes, this is the base of a deep rooted self confidence.

When I feel I'm lacking focus I usually go swimming -- and swim until I see nothing more than the small spot on the other side of the pool. Once I get my mind so focused that I have only one thought -- that spot -- I know I can be the same the next day in the office, only this time my spot is my to-do list.

5) Keep moving

The bottom line really is -- you know the best what is good for you. So move towards it, don't get distracted from setbacks and never ever lose your belief that you're going to succeed big time. I mean -- if this is what you want and you work for that, magic happens. But nobody else can believe in yourself instead of you.

PS: I got my official working permit in Malaysia, so I'm now once again an honest citizen and a tax payer.