Unlocking Gifts

PAGE 16 of the COACHES AND MENTORS OF SOUTH AFRICA newsletter

By Tracey Olivier

It is my personal belief that each person I come into contact with is a gift, who needs to be opened and unwrapped with great care and delight. Coaching is a wonderful journey of discovering many different gifts within that person.

It thrills me as each person discovers a strength they never knew they had, the sense of purpose

that was hidden underneath the clutter of circumstance, and the excitement of opening up a new

potential and then seeing them play with the options.

Sometimes I get to unpack some unwanted gifts with them and get to participate in the working

out of putting them in the proper places or even discarding them if they are harmful.

It amazes me over and over again the glorious uniqueness of each person and how each gifted

person is totally different in their packaging, contents and even in the way they open and respond to each discovery.

I found a wonderful quote by Albert Einstein ―The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational

mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten

the gift.ǁ

I am of the very clear conviction that everyone of us has unique giftings that are ours alone. These

attributes are what make us who we are and they should be celebrated. We live in a world that

sometimes wants to clone us, we aspire to be just like this or that person, and that is great, but we mustn‘t lose ourselves in the process. We know intuitively what it is we ought

to do with our lives, but sometimes we just need someone to give us the permission to allow the

greatest to be called out of us. We need to be a better ―meǁ and it is possible when we realise the

gift of who we are. I love that coaching is a vehicle to unlock and allow people to discover

themselves and to embrace themselves as the gifts that they are.

Focus

Take time out to assess where you’ve come from and where you’re going. Are you still on the road that will lead you to God’s purposes, or have you taken a detour somewhere along the way?
John Maxwell

If the Lord delights in a man’s ways, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37: 23-24


Five steps to staying focused.

1. Fan the flame
Keep reminding yourself what you are passionate about. What got you on this road in the first place?

2. Seeing the end in view
Who are the people who cheer you on? Remember that you walk between the starting point and the finishing line can be a long and winding road.

3. Remain a student
Never stop learning. Let your business become your classroom. Failures and successes can teach you. Use the internet, go to seminars and workshop if you are not sure. Read books and meet with people who have the knowledge you need.

4. Isolation – the dream killer
Networking is important. Choose them carefully, connect with people who are like minded. Who are your tribe? Never be threatened by the competition, they are allies if you realise that only you can do your purpose.

5. Reinforcement
Re-inspire yourself. Go back to the reason you started the journey. What did God say. Keep a journal. Are you still on track? Remind yourself often why you are doing what you are doing. Do you have prophetic words, dust them off.