Success is an Inside Job

My motivation for writing this article is that it would cause an awakening in as many hearts as possible. More recently, as I was sleeping, I began to experience a very vivid and colorful dream. In this dream, it was as if I were watching a movie about my life from my youth till today. As I was watching, I could hear this inner voice explaining to me, scene by scene, what had happened to me, and little by little, I had lost parts of who God created me to be. I had allowed myself to be pressured into conformity to the different cultures that I had joined, such as school, religion, the business world, family, relationships, addictive habits, etc.

In my desire to fit in and be accepted, I lost bits and pieces of who I was created to be. In essence, I had become a victim of identity theft. It caused me to think back on my childhood, and when I was 25 years old. It was that year that I had a complete rupture of my Achilles tendon, which caused me to have an emotional and spiritual awakening that launched me on a journey to find myself. My true self was beginning to shout out that it was time to rise and start a journey of discovering the person I was created to be, which continues today. There is a quote I heard several years ago that I share continually with my clients, and it goes something like this: “Nothing burns more fiercely in our mind and soul than the desire to be who we were to be and pursue our dreams.” So, to be myself, I needed to know my true self, my journey of self-discovery, and finding those lost pieces of who God created me to be continues to unfold. As you shed yourself from the bondage of conformity, you become freer to pursue your dreams and desires. Through intentional design and vigilant protection of our time and agenda, we can take back our identity and purpose to make each day creatively fruitful and fulfilling.

As we move through this journey to unlocking prolific possibilities, we need to ask ourselves the question, “If not now, when?” The time is now, for we need to muster the courage to come out of the shadows and begin to shine. We need to realize that we are hard-wired for success in all areas of life (Spiritually, Physically, Emotionally, Relationally, and Materially). Woven throughout the journey, you will find evidence of my spiritual self. Clients and friends have called me both a spiritual guide and a coach for the spirit. What they like about me is that I am in no way religious or legalistic, but I am spiritual in a way that brings freedom and encouragement. I hope that you will read these timeless gold nuggets of wisdom that I have inserted to inspire you both to believe bigger and to understand that you were created to soar higher. The time is now to confront the inner demons that have been sabotaging your destiny. By the time you finish this journey, I hope that self-destructive habits and limiting beliefs will have ended, and new, healthy, productive habits and limitless thinking will have taken root. The inner mystic in you is going to awaken, and a new realization that you were created to create your dream life will unfold. We will walk through the transition process of the necessary endings phase, the wilderness phase, and the new beginnings. An old chapter of life will close, and a new chapter of life will unfold, where with newfound courage and passion, you will look in the mirror and say to yourself, IT’S MY TIME TO SHINE!

“The gift you carry for others is not an attempt to save the world but to fully belong to it. It is not possible to save the world by trying to save it. You need to find what is genuinely yours to offer the world before you can make it a better place. Discovering your unique gift to bring into your community is your greatest opportunity and challenge. The offering of that gift-your true self-is the most you can do to love and serve the world, and it is all the world needs.”  Bill Plotkin

“My child, never drift off course from these two goals for your life:

To walk in wisdom and to discover purpose. Don’t ever forget how they empower you. For they strengthen you inside and out and inspire you to do what’s right,

You will be energized and refreshed by the healing they bring. They give you living hope to guide you, and not one of life’s tests will cause you to stumble. You  will sleep like a baby, safe and sound- your rest will be sweet and secure.” Prov. 3:21-24 tpt 

Sometime ago, I had put together a webinar on success in five strategic areas of life. Those five strategic areas are these: Spiritually, Physically, Emotionally, Relationally, and Materially. The webinar flowed very well, and I received great positive feedback from many participants. About two days later, I got an email from a young man named Steven from the webinar who said he needed to have a conversation with me as soon as possible. On this call with Steven, he went on to relate to me how much this webinar had impacted him. Steven realizes that regarding the five strategic areas, he was doing well materially but was miserable emotionally, struggling relationally (his marriage), was bankrupt spiritually, and all this was affecting him physically. After further conversation, what came to light was that Stevens’ family had financed his education at a prestigious Ivy League school to get a degree in international business. It was his parents’ desire that he pursue this degree, not his. Now, he lives in New York City, is newly married, and they have a newborn baby, and Steven works for a very powerful investment banking firm. What has him so troubled is that he hates what he is doing and battles depression every day, so much so that he no longer goes straight home after work; instead, he goes to a pub for drinks and a little cocaine. I had the opportunity to coach Steven through his circumstances and walk with him through a life transition. Steven had the opportunity to reclaim his identity, his dreams, and his desires, and begin to create his and his family’s future.

As a life coach, I’ve walked with many clients through this very journey, helping them reclaim their true identity and discover their deeper purpose. This process isn’t just about setting goals; it’s about coming home to yourself.

TAKE ACTION: If you’re navigating a major transition or seeking deeper clarity, consider working with a spiritual life coach. Sometimes, your next chapter begins with a trusted guide by your side. Connect with Philip to learn more.