"Retirement, I'm not even sure I know what that is".

That's easy, she said, it's when you do what you want, when you want and where you want

"In that case I've been retired for over 20 years".

But don't you still work full time? she asked.

Work. Isn't that just another word we don't really know what it means. I spend my time helping people I like make their businesses more successful and profitable. I can't imagine ever wanting to stop doing that. I'm very good at it, in fact it's about the only thing I'm any good at, and so if I didn't do that, I don't know what I'd do.

Which made me begin to wonder why so many people spend their lives doing something, whether they call it working or having a job that they don't enjoy just to earn a living, when they could be doing something that they love that gives them satisfaction.

Why do they let other people control their lives?

The answer, I discovered, was to be found in what is variously called our belief system or subconscious conditioning. Some may call it your paradigm.

We are all born with perfection within us and with access to infinite opportunity and knowledge but by the time our - albeit well-meaning parents and teachers -  have knocked our beliefs and self- confidence we are consumed by doubts and fears which cause us to self-sabotage even our best efforts at realising our dreams.

How did we create limiting beliefs like ‘I'm not a numbers person’ or ‘I'm no good at selling’? When did the fear of failure stop us from stepping outside our comfort zone?

I can tell you most of it occurred while you were still a child. When people laughed because you tried and failed to do something ('Better not try or they’ll laugh at me again') or scoffed when you told them what you’d become ('You’ll never do that'. 'You’re bound to fail'.' Just get a job like everyone else'). When it mattered what others thought of you.

One of my best friends (a successful business woman) only achieved her breakthrough when she became comfortable with her family (they can be the worst, it’s usually jealousy) and friends telling her she was weird for wanting her own business.

So let go of the fear. It’s never too late to be who you really are. You only have one life – don’t let anyone stand in the way of your dream.

Noel Guilford

PS Success is a choice available to everyone. If you are struggling to let go of your limiting beliefs and find freedom, I have a few places available on my coaching programme. Call me if you are interested.