“All My life I have been mistaken in measuring the significance of any work by the struggles that went into it.”
Henri Matisse, Artist

Some of the most common questions I am asked by people who seeking coaching is,“How can I find out what I’m good at?” and “How can I be sure that I will enjoy it?” Whilst these questions may seem daunting, the past is often a good predictor of the future. Often we just need reminding of the times and circumstances in our lives when we felt inspired or energised by something, and of the times when our skills just seemed to flow. Such times can provide clues to our passions and unique strengths and talents.


How does it feel to be in "the flow"?

* A feeling of being completely involved, focused, concentrating - either due to innate curiosity in the task or subject or as the result of training in the art of being outside everyday reality
* A feeling of weightlessness - a feeling that nothing is too much trouble
* Great inner clarity - knowing what needs to be done and how well it is going
Knowing the activity is doable - that the skills are adequate, and neither anxious or bored
* A sense of serenity - no worries about self, feeling of growing beyond the boundaries of ego - afterwards feeling of transcending ego in ways not thought possible
* A sense of timeliness - so thoroughly focused on the present you don't notice time passing
* Intrinsic motivation - whatever produces "flow" becomes its own reward

Some questions to get you started:
* What comes easily to you?
* When do you lost all track of time?
* What are you doing when you feel most at peace (other than sleeping!)
* What are the times you feel most confident and engaged - neither bored or anxious?
* What tasks or activities are most innately rewarding to you?
* When do you feel most truly yourself? To deny passion and your creative calling is to deny Who You Are and Who you Truly Want To Be. As Pablo Picasso famously said:” “My mother said to me, "If you become a soldier, you'll be a general; if you become a monk, you'll end up as the Pope." Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso."

Examples:
I feel most in flow when I am creating
I lose all track of time when I am painting. The most fulfiling part of this is creating something that is innately satisfying to me and that the recipient truly loves. I feel excited, energised and truly complete. Sometimes when I sit down to paint I find it really hard to get going. I discipline myself and say I will give it 30 minutes and that's all. Very often I find that 3-4 hours later I am blissfully painting and find it hard to tear myself away. Writing posts and articles that help people to follow their bliss produces the same state. I feel a huge sense of purpose and people comment positively about my flow inspired works.

A natural knack for understanding how others feel leads to Pulitzer prize

American writer, Michael Cunningham, won a Pulitzer prize for his novel (and later a hit movie), The Hours. When asked how a man managed to write a story that captured the feelings of three very different women, his friends reply: “He’s an unusually empathetic guy. He has this uncanny ability to know how other people experience the world. That’s such a handy skill – and a blessing for a writer.”


Passionate anger flows to successful global business
Anita Roddick was the successful multi-millionaire businesswoman who founded the Body Shop. She took her passion for natural cosmetics and mixed it with her passion for giving something back to the community. She became one of the world’s most successful businesswoman and an activist against animal testing in the process. Anita once said, “You have to believe in something with such a passion it becomes a reality.” She also said, "We communciate with passion and passion sells." Increasing awareness of the evils of animal testing and improving the lives of others were of primary importance to her. Money flowed from the good she created.

French painter Henri Matisse hungered above all to paint. He orginally trained as a lawyer but this was clearly not his path with heart. He convinced his father to allow him to try for one year to make it as a painter. His talent flowed and his heart soared...however not everyone shared his enthusiasm for what he created. He later correctly predicted that he was at least 50 years ahead of his time. His passionate need to produce and natural talent sustained him through years and years of brutal criticism. Going with the flow to Matisse meant creating innovative work and being true to himself. As Frank Sinitra sang, "For what is a man? What has he got? If not himself - Then he has naught."

Go with the flow to find career nirvana - and do it your way!

Take the Cassandragaisford.com career nirvana survey and find your bliss

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