Hello, Business Leaders of Tomorrow! Welcome to the eighth and final blog of this series. I’m Amit Chawla, Business Clarity Coach, and today, I’m excited to share a transformative journey that blends personal discovery with professional growth. This blog is a culmination of insights and experiences that have shaped my path and my approach to coaching.
The Turning Point
The decision to become a coach marked a dramatic shift in my life. It wasn’t just a career change; it was a profound process of self-discovery. As I moved closer to solidifying my intent, I faced overwhelming confusion and dilemmas. Reflecting on those days, the reasons for my struggles were clear: I was venturing into the vast and unfamiliar world of coaching and mentoring. It felt like setting sail on a turbulent sea, filled with uncertainties and potential obstacles.
The excitement of embarking on this new journey was tinged with fear. The sea of coaching was rough, and steering through the storms was challenging. Yet, amidst these trials, I found guiding lights—mentors and leaders who became my lighthouses in the tempest. Their wisdom and support were instrumental in navigating the choppy waters of my career transition.
Inspiration and Integrity
In today’s blog, we’ll delve into how these mentors influenced my journey and illuminated two essential traits: inspiration and integrity. These qualities have become the cornerstone of my coaching philosophy and have profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and personal development.
The Quest for Self-Understanding
Have you ever pondered what it truly means to “be yourself”? It’s more than just a catchphrase; it’s about uncovering who you are and what you want from life. For me, this question was anything but simple. To unravel this riddle, I asked myself three critical questions:
- Who do I need to be to find peace with who I am?
- Who do I need to be to fully embrace and love myself and my life?
- Who should I be to live the most extraordinary life I can imagine?
These questions were my compass as I navigated through the tumultuous waters of self-discovery. Despite the tumultuous thoughts and uncertainties, I persevered, driven by a determination to find clarity.
In 2015, while still entrenched in my corporate role, I had a pivotal conversation with my mentor, Rajesh Garodia. Rajesh suggested connecting with younger individuals to gain new perspectives. At that time, the idea of engaging with younger people was unfamiliar to me. I knew some young individuals through my office and my children’s friends, but I had never deeply connected with them.
This advice marked a turning point. Two years later, I had resolved to become a coach and reconnected with Rajesh. He introduced me to the concept of “Ikigai” and shared a picture that became a crucial piece of my self-discovery puzzle. The picture contained four key questions:
- What am I good at?
- What do I love?
- What does the world need from me?
- What can I be paid for?
Reflecting on these questions helped me identify my purpose: to coach and mentor individuals who are ambitious, young at heart, and seeking happiness and success.
Embracing Change
By 2017, I was mentally ready to transition into coaching. I chose a coworking space in Gurgaon, leaving behind my plush corporate office. The open office environment was both a challenge and an opportunity. As an introvert, adapting to a new environment where networking was crucial was daunting. However, this period of adjustment was essential for growth.
During this phase, I met Paritosh Pathak, a strategic networking coach. Our meeting felt serendipitous. Paritosh introduced me to the art of strategic networking, emphasizing the importance of genuine interest and creating value in relationships. I learned that networking is distinct from selling and that authenticity and integrity are crucial in every interaction.
Despite this newfound understanding, I faced a dilemma: How should I position myself in my network? Paritosh’s question about what clients said after a coaching session led me to reflect on the term “clarity.” This reflection resulted in my personal branding statement: “Clarity Coach.” This epiphany marked the end of my uncertainty and provided a clear identity for my coaching practice.
The Journey of Growth
The transition from IT to coaching was significant and challenging, especially for an introvert. Mastering the art of selling my services and consolidating my brand required continuous learning and adaptation. Networking with experts like Akshar Yadav, Amit Roy, Braj Mohan Das, and Steve Hardison helped me acquire valuable skills and insights.
One transformative experience was attending a Vipassana retreat in July 2022. The ten-day retreat, where participants maintained noble silence, offered profound insights into self-observation and equanimity. This period of introspection helped me connect the dots of my journey and gain clarity on my identity and purpose.
Discovering My Essence
Reflecting on my coaching journey, I recalled a question posed by Gaurav, our coach at xMonks, during a session in January 2017: “Who are you?” At that time, I struggled to answer beyond my designation and experience. This question haunted me, and through subsequent sessions, I began to piece together an answer. I realized that my essence could be captured in a single word: “Peace.”
Throughout my life, I have been inclined towards peace and inspired by those who promote it. Peace became the foundation of my personal and professional identity. I am clarity, balance, and peace. These qualities define my approach as a business clarity coach, guiding individuals to find clarity in their thoughts and actions.
The Role of Inspiration and Integrity
As I reflect on my journey, I recognize the profound impact of inspiration and integrity. My mentors and experiences have reinforced my belief in these values. Inspiration is not only about receiving guidance but also about passing it forward. It is a legacy that carries a responsibility to inspire and uplift others.
Integrity, on the other hand, is about staying true to one’s values and principles. It has been the bedrock of my coaching practice, ensuring that every interaction and decision aligns with my core beliefs.
Conclusion
Friends, this has been a remarkable journey of self-discovery and professional growth. Sharing my experiences with you has been both a privilege and a reflection of the profound lessons learned along the way. I hope my stories and insights have resonated with you and provided valuable takeaways for your own journey.
Before we conclude, I encourage you to ponder the questions of who you are and who you are becoming. Finding answers to these questions can be transformative, guiding you towards a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
Feel free to connect with me at amit@amitchawla.coach or call me at +91 95600 55280 for more insights and stories. I look forward to continuing our journey together and exploring new horizons in leadership and personal development.
Stay tuned for our next series of inspiring stories on life and leadership. Remember, business leaders of tomorrow, tomorrow begins now. Embrace the journey with clarity, integrity, and inspiration.
Until next time, keep leading with heart and mind.
Amit Chawla (Business Clarity Coach)
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