Daniel – a member of the Lighthouse International community, shares how his willingness to let go of past disappointments in business, as well as his commitment to learning from them, opened up to a whole world of opportunity that he didn’t imagine was possible!
While reading this please consider:
1. What past disappointments are you hanging onto that are affecting your quality of life right now?
2. What would it mean for you to be able to turn that disappointment into a massive opportunity?!
My journey started when I came to London from Germany. It felt like quite an exciting time with lots of changes and I could see lots of new possibilities in a big city like London. I felt quite confident and had a good level of energy so I made the decision to start my own business. I thought I had this amazing technical idea which would definitely work out! I started to put all my energy into making it happen. Initially it was really good fun, it felt like I was building something new which would give me freedom and independence, it would allow me to make my own decisions and to make money while learning a lot about technology and business at the same time.
My plan was to make this happen relatively quickly and then I could focus more on my relationships, including my girlfriend (who’s now my wife) and building new friendships. That at least was the plan (if you could really call it a plan).
After months and months of effort I started to feel that something wasn’t right without fully understanding what it was. My initial levels of energy dropped and I wasn’t sure anymore if this was the right way forward and if I would ever make it happen.
It took me quite a while to realise that my approach, doing this all on my own, just wasn’t working! I also realised that not only was it not good for me, but it wasn’t good for the people around me.
The hardest part was to accept this, to detach myself from my approach, to admit to myself that I had screwed this up spectacularly, that it’s completely ok and to see it as a good lesson in how not to start a business venture.
Despite this experience there was still something in me that wanted to give it another try and to do something different with my life, to make something happen. A year later I received a flyer for an event and I thought I’d enquire to find out more.
This was the start of my journey with Lighthouse International, where I met other people who had also tried to start their own businesses. I realised that I was not the only person who was struggling to achieve this goal!
Through Lighthouse International I started to learn about personal development, personal growth, leadership, responsibility and relationships. What I was starting to learn was not just related to starting a business, it was also very relevant to my life as a whole! I started to read books on these topics and I ended up joining an awesome and intensive year-long leadership development program which helped me a lot. I was introduced to mentoring and how a Lighthouse mentor could help me to progress with my goals, to see things differently, to make new realisations and to move forward through slowly, but surely, overcoming my fears.
This support through mentoring helped me immensely to see things differently. I started to see my gaps in terms of what I needed to have in place before I could achieve my goals in life. This involved learning a lot about me, why I wanted to start a business, why it is so important to be balanced in life, why genuine, trust-filled relationships are so crucial and why it is so valuable to improve my listening skills.
I learnt as well that it really takes a lot of effort to develop my character, what principles and values are, how to become clearer about the values I live my life by and why this is so helpful and important. Through all of these experiences my energy levels recovered, I became a more balanced person and I started to see many more opportunities in my life. This all helped me to feel much more certain and grounded about life. The result is that I am in a much better place to not only add great value to myself, but to others as well.
I also learned to appreciate and enjoy this journey learning that there is no ‘quick fix’ when it comes to personal development.
Most importantly I can see much more clearly the impact of my own growth and development in other areas of my life. I can be a better husband to my wife and a better father to my daughter. There is a more solid foundation in place within myself now, from where I can genuinely build my life and make my dreams come true.
I’m also aware that this is a continuous journey and that I still have a lot to learn. I still screw things up and I know I can still do lots of things in a different and better way. It’s much easier for me to accept this, I know I will make mistakes, but I also see it more as an opportunity for further growth and that’s all part of life. Who said it’s easy to move ahead and to achieve your dreams?
I’m very grateful to be part of a great community at Lighthouse International, to know so many wonderful people who are dedicated to their own growth, to helping others and to making their dreams come true as well.
Thank you very much to everyone for the journey so far, I’m looking forward to everything else to come! – Daniel Schmitz
Defining Daniel’s Breakthrough Lessons
– by Chris Nash, Director, Mentor & Coach, Lighthouse International
Chris Nash
Whether we are learning about ourselves and what we want and need through an assessment, mentorship, a publication or a more intensive program* like the one Daniel went on, we will always encounter those sensitive areas in ourselves that have been left unattended for quite some time. In Daniel’s case it was the disappointment of a failed business and the loss of self-belief that came with that.
One of the biggest challenges that I have had in myself and that I work with others on is encouraging them to look at the areas of their lives where they haven’t got quite the result they expected, to really understand why that is, and to then do something about it! Avoiding these areas that need our attention is so damaging and results in them festering for a long period of time.
What is most fascinating about supporting people through something like the Wants & Needs Gap Assessment & Analysis is that people embark on it to find and fill their gaps BUT, then because of the old habit of hiding away from our gaps kicking in – people don’t really take as much value from this incredible development opportunity as they could because they are scared of what might come up… We all know this feeling, but those who create the freedom they desire have the humility and courage to break through this destructive cycle of avoiding what we really need to see. They go on to create wonderful lives filled with meaning, purpose and heartfelt connection with those that mean the most to them rather than remaining stuck, caged by the past.
If you’d like to learn more about being mentored to achieve your own goals and overcome your challenges you can learn more and register on this page…
*Our more advanced and intensive programs are for people who are absolutely committed to optimising their lives. They’re designed to help people break through the limiting beliefs and fears that hold them back on the path to success; such as enabling someone to bring the right people, skills and money together to either launch a national business or step into a senior position at a company. Learn more about our programs here.
Road Image courtesy of Moyan Brenn @ Flikr
