Inspiration Archives: Chris Padgett

In 1981, Talking Heads proclaimed in the hit song Once In a Lifetime: "You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?" This is a question clients often ask when going through a big shift in life. Unfortunately, this question focuses on the past and it is the wrong question for the present moment.

Shift happens - especially when you least expect it. You may think you are doing everything right and following a path you feel will bring you to a place of happiness and then -- one day -- a change happens that turns your world upside down.

Sometimes change is brought about by external forces and sometimes it comes from within. Regardless of origin, change is often painful and riddled with paradox. When the moment comes - many people are rarely prepared for what happens and often times they become overwhelmed with fear and get stuck dwelling in the past.

The Shift is the Gift
The key to embracing a change is to see it as a gift and to see the value in the present moment - no matter how overwhelming it may feel. Yes, that's right - the shift is a gift and seeing it from this perspective can present significant opportunity.

Life has a way of bringing us significant shifts when we need them most. A shift can present the time to examine what it means to live a life of fulfillment or how to achieve balance. The key is knowing the right questions to ask yourself when shift happens. The answers are inside of you and sometimes they just need a little space, time and help to surface.

Purpose is Powerful
Your life belongs to you and no one else and living a fulfilling life is a radical act. Maintaining the status quo is for many both the path of least resistance and the antithesis of fulfillment. Listen to yourself - the answers are always inside of you.

It's often been said the quality of life is driven by the quality of our conversations. When you are going through change -what is your default conversation? Do you automatically listen to others or do you listen to the voice inside of you? When was the last time you sparked a powerful conversation with yourself? If you're comfortable listening to your inner voice, which voice are you speaking with - the voice of love or the voice of fear?

Powerful Questions
The most valuable wisdom I've learned is the power of the right question - especially during a transition. Powerful questions can ignite the spark to help you transition from living passively to living actively. Powerful questions help get you unstuck and find purpose and fulfillment.

Key Questions to Spark Personal Growth

• What do I really want and what am I willing to sacrifice?
• Who I am is who I say I want to be. Who do I want to be?
• What story do I need to stop telling myself? And what story do I want to begin?
• What commitment do I want to make to myself in this moment?

Life is Short and You are Magnificent
That's right- you are magnificent! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You have strengths, experience and a perspective unlike anyone else. Be kind to yourself and celebrate the uniqueness of being you. What's important is knowing yourself, knowing your purpose and embracing the possibilities of the power of this moment.