A whole new perspective on EOFY

Driving across the Hay Plain recently, I rocked on to an old favourite: Garden Party by Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band.

Back in 1972, Nelson penned a catchy tune with a poignant message: “You can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself”. In the peaceful Sturt Highway environment with no cares (except the road train overtaking another one on a bend a few hundred metres ahead,  with my name emblazoned on its bull bar), I thought about why I was there in the  first place.

For two years, I had been a slave to compassion: writing a self-help book, studying advanced life-coaching techniques and blogging prolifically in a virtuous attempt to help people who are stuck in a rut. Guess where I was right then? Revving my guts out, spinning my wheels and getting nowhere.

Just before Christmas, I answered a phone call from a former colleague from my irrigation-consulting days, asking if I could help out with a large corporate project. I was apprehensive, since I hadn’t done this work for seven years.

But within 10 minutes on site, I realised that I was back where I belong. My product and process memory was intact, and I loved every aspect of the job. The project concluded successfully and, after a few conversations, I signed on as what can best be described as an internal consultant.

The role embraces so many of  my passions, including travel, human and machinery interaction, fresh  air, troubleshooting, mentoring and training. I cheekily added that a  refreshing point of difference to my previous life is: “All care and no responsibility” – I’m not selling anything and I’m not managing anyone.

But wait, there’s more. I work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so every weekend is Easter. And that is as close to retirement as I ever want to get.

The bottom line is that I am in a fulfilling role and loving it. I thought I would have trouble letting go of my coaching pursuits and feel obligated to the significant time and financial investments, but the decision to return to being happy, for myself, came easily.

No regrets. No what-ifs. No guilt.

The only time I look back now is when I’m cruising along a country highway and wonder if there’s a road train behind me, waiting to crush my dreams and smear them for 400 metres along the bitumen.

My June message is based on the acronym headlining every second ad on television this month: EOFY. I hope to see all my readers think seriously about this crucial advice and adopt the mantra: “Everyone Out For Yourself (EOFY)”.

Happiness is an irresistible force that benefits all those who come into contact with it. If you’re truly happy, your loved ones, friends, workmates and teammates will be positively influenced.

Chuck that brave face in the bin and replace it with an inner glow.

You don’t have to smile when you’re happy: people will sense it and they’ll  smile for you and themselves. You don’t need a life coach, counsellor or shrink to tell you that it all begins with you. You don’t need mind-blowing strategies to reset your mindset.

You just need to be honest – with yourself first, then those who will be stirred by your inspired demeanour.

You may be pleasantly surprised at how little courage you need to face reality and take action when you are convinced  of the truth.

Let’s all make an EOFY resolution, and Everybody Look Out For Yourself.

If this article resonates with you, I would love to hear from you. Contact me at charliegriffithscoaching.com.

 Charlie Griffiths is a certified life  coach and Neuro Linguistic  Programming practitioner.