In so many of my coaching sessions, the issue of clients knowing what they want always goes hand in hand with knowing who they are. This is especially true for those who struggle with fear and anxiety which holds them back from the life that they dream of.

Although you might be thinking, “Of course I know who I am!” the reality is that most people have created a ‘story’ about themselves, an ongoing ‘screenplay’ about who they are and what they are capable of.

For those who struggle with anxiety, the story is almost one of living in a world that is safe and free from risk-taking. In fact, it is impossible to achieve your absolute best in any area of your life unless you possess an effective and powerful answer to both questions of want you want and knowing who you are .

What could possibly stand in your way?

Look in the mirror and you will see your biggest enemy staring right back at you, telling you the story about why life is so dangerous, or how it seems like you have always failed, or how you are just not enough to become more successful.

The story you tell yourself often implies that maybe you don’t have what it takes to achieve your dreams.

On and on the story goes. A story many years in the making!

I can hear it now,

“Ladies and gentleman, here is the Story of a person who desired to become successful, who yearned and dreamed of accomplishing amazing things! Yet, a sad Story of never having enough money, or ideas or opportunities, of someone raised by critical parents and who lacked the confidence to overcome obstacles and who is trapped by fear after fear.”

Does this sound at all like your Story?

As I have spent the past couple of weeks admiring the amazing works of art of so many greats from Italy, France and Spain, I thought I would re-share a post I wrote years ago regarding a particular time in history of prolific creating. I hope that you enjoy it!

“You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self,
to live out your purpose, and to do it fearlessly”
~ Steve Maraboli, Author

Recession … unemployment … climate change … general economic collapse … rapid population growth … polluted water … environmental disasters … instability, and anxiety … decline in the influence of the church.

Why, you wonder, am I trying to depress you with the current state of the world today? How can this possibly help me become bold in my life? I thought this blog was supposed to be a forward looking, positive guide to gaining freedom from fear.

The scenario that I describe above is, however, not an accounting of the world today, but, rather, a precise look at what was occurring in 13th century Europe!

What is remarkable is that it was during this time of chaos and dramatic change that one of the most amazing periods of achievement, creativity and cultural change in the history of the world occurred. The conditions I have described existed just prior to the period in history that we call the Renaissance.

It was during this period of instability that the first outrageous achievers of the Italian Renaissance lived. Rather than succumb to those who felt defeated and whose only goal in life was to just get through it all (to survive), these outrageous artists decided to be bold and fearless in the face of overwhelming odds.

Adventurous and risk-taking, artists such as da Vinci, Michelangelo, Giotto and Raphael set out with a daring spirit to create works of art that have never been equaled.