Author: Winston Waterton
During a conversation about personal and professional success, a close friend told me that there are three types of people in this world:
- The people who say what should happen.
- The people who watch things happen.
- The people who make things happen.
And two of these people the world doesn’t need.
He got my attention!
I started to reflect on my life and the many times I had achieved personal and professional success and what contributed to these successes. Some of the things that helped me achieve my dreams and goals were:
- Taking daily action to achieve my goals. Taking small actions was better than taking no action at all. Procrastination resulted in my dreams remaining in my dream world.
- Defining why my goals were important was critical. Remembering that I can’t change yesterday’s hurts, pains, failures: but that I can make positive changes to my life now and for the future.
- Making an action plan and having a friend or coach to support me.
- Honouring my word, being true to myself and values. At the end of each day, reviewing my action plan, achievements and lessons learnt from any failures or setbacks are an empowering experience to utilise for future planning and action.
- Maintaining my integrity and expressing empathy was essential to personal growth and development of others. When I made mistakes at home or work, I didn’t beat myself up about it. I apologized to myself and to others, and maintained my integrity by finding ways to put right any mistakes or wrong doing. Making excuses was a way of avoiding taking complete responsibility for my actions.
- Seeing everyone as a potential source of learning. At times, some of my best sources of wisdom have come from children, young people, elders and people outside of my personal circle and wider professional circle.
- When encountering obstacles, keeping my action plan in focus and asking myself how to navigate barriers.
- Creating Peer Coaching Support Groups was helpful. These were time-limited groups where we supported each other on personal and professional development.
- Celebrating little and big achievements helped to reinforce self-worth and became a source of inspiration for others.
Reflective Exercise:
What type of person are you? Ask yourself:
- Am I the type of person who says what should happen but take no action?
- Am I the type of person who watches what happens and does not contribute?
- Am I the type of person who makes things happen by taking personal and collective action?
- Which type of person would I like to be? If you would like to begin the journey to personal and professional success then be the change that you would like to see in the world. The power resides within you.
© 2021. Winston Waterton is the founder of Wellbeing Vision and Co-Founder of Thea Association.
© 2021. Winston Waterton, author of ‘100-Word Stories for Reflection’ coming out soon!, founder of Wellbeing Vision and Co-Founder of Thea Association. He is passionate about promoting health and wellbeing, and helping people to appreciate their inner gifts and talents. In his spare time, Winston loves reading, writing, walking, dancing and roller skating.
Winston Waterton 