3 Tools to Cook Up Your Magic

Authentic growth and development takes time, specific tools and the right ingredients. Whether you realize it or not, we are all in a constant state of development. The question is what tools and ingredients are you using in the recipe to develop your greatness and discover your magic?

I am not talking about a pull a rabbit out of a hat kind of magic. I am referring to developing, designing and defining the greatness that makes you know, feel and believe you have purpose.

Through my doctoral research and coaching work I have discovered three primary ingredients that play a role in authentic growth and development. The three items listed below are the basic and foundational tools needed to begin cooking or up your magic recipe.

The pan is the foundational structure that holds all of the ingredients together, keeping the correct shape and cooking the recipe to perfection. Our self-confidence is the foundation for how we choose to think about ourselves, our abilities and the value of our role in the universe. Self-confidence is the core of what you believe about yourself and your perceived value. Your self-confidence has a ripple effect on the choices you make and your engagement in your life, your growth. Without a sturdy, reliable valued baking pan, you can still throw the ingredients in the oven, but you will probably have a mess to clean up.

The measuring cups represent the discipline of our choices and accountability for using the correct measurements of each ingredient. The amount of ingredients we use has a significant impact on the overall outcome. Too much or too little of a specific ingredient can alter the end result. Our choices in life are driven by how we feel about ourselves. If we have a plan for where we want to go and what we are striving to create, our choices will be more controlled, specific, in alignment with our vision. If we are struggling to see value in who we are, what we do or the life we have created, our choices will likely show up as impulsive, unfocused and potentially deconstructive.

Engagement and belief in your mission or lack there of will help you to maintain the right temperature and cook your recipe to perfection. If your engagement and belief wavers, the end result may undercooked, overcooked or just down right burnt to a crisp. The belief in ourselves, our value and our purpose in the world sets the temperature for how hard we run our race, the level of effort we give and how we choose to show up each day. What temperature is your oven set on?

The next step is to choose the right ingredients. Think of your mind as being on a daily shopping trip to baking or cooking your favorite dish. Your mind has the opportunity to shop for ingredients in every moment. The ingredients to creating your magic may include, but are not limited to: choices, beliefs, actions, behaviors, attitude, perceptions and reactions to circumstances. The ingredients you choose to pull off of the shelf will ultimately create the final product.

The questions below are designed to help you reflect on how you are cooking up your magic recipe for your development and growth:

•How are you using the tools listed above in your recipe?
• Are you consciously pulling the ingredients off of the shelf or just throwing stuff in as it comes your way?
• How will the end result taste with the ingredients you are using?

To Growth and Purpose,

Jodi

Transition. Transform. Transcend. Jodi is a transformational coach, inspirational blogger and thought leader to the masses. She has been recognized for her authorship in her weekly blog: The Journey, Daily Guidephrase on Twitter and her work for developing future leaders in the business and education sectors. Jodi’s mission is to have an impact on the way people relate to the human experience through feelings, actions and behaviors. Her doctoral research focused on understanding the influences of life transitions and the impact to the human experience through confidence, thoughts about ability and personal engagement. To learn more about Jodi's philosophy and approach to helping guide individuals through their life transition to connect to their purpose visit www.jodiashbrook.com. Follow Jodi’s Guidephrase on Twitter @jodiashbrook Email Jodi at jodi@jodiashbrook.com