Power of Wisdom

I would like to begin by questioning the source of wisdom.

Where does it come from?

How do we learn it?

What does it feel like?

Whilst explaining the difference between knowledge and wisdom, Sandra Carey asserts that one should, “never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life’.

For most of my life I was led to believe that knowledge lives in the external world and that it comes from experience. On the other hand, wisdom lives within us. Although it may come from many sources, I believed wisdom to be more of an ‘inner ‘knowing’ that is often difficult to explain or describe.

Throughout history, educational institutions have taught us how to learn, obey, think linearly and eventually pass this ‘knowledge’ on through teaching others. In many ways, it develops us into academics, placing us on a path to become a professor. School provides knowledge. It’s quite simple really.

However, wisdom is what one needs to “make a life” and to be fulfilled.

During the Industrial Revolution, everything was about knowledge. This was when we parted with wisdom and began to establish an educational system based on facts, figures and knowledge. Sometimes it feels like no one uses wisdom anymore.

Coaches coach people to gain an awareness of their wisdom and then show them hot to use it to lead them into a life they LOVE.

On my search to understand knowledge and wisdom I looked up the definition of wisdom and have been now led to believe that wisdom is how we USE knowledge….

Apparently wisdom is “accumulated knowledge”. The definition that resonated the most with me was “enlightenment”.

The claim that wisdom is “the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight” or “the quality of being prudent and sensible” seem far fetched. It can’t be that simple.

Or can it?

What does wisdom mean to you?

How do YOU use it?

Power of the OTHER 'Coach Quinn'

The term "coach" can be heard in many contexts but most often people naturally think of a sports coach. But, why am I bringing up a sports coach when I am a life coach?

Because, they are VERY similar.

Each and every time I explain what I do, a different answer comes out of my mouth depending on my audience. Naturally, I try to say something that the person can relate to.


Most often the following definition is well received:

A life coach is like a sports coach - they motivate you to get the most out of the task at hand. Tiger Woods didn't become the best golfer in the world by sitting at home on a couch thinking about golf. He got out on the course with a COACH and practiced.

Pat Quinn is known to many people as 'Coach Quinn' and I reckon him and I have a lot in common!

Power of the Best getting BETTER

Eric Schmidt, the chairman and CEO of Google recently wrote in FORTUNE magazine about advice that sticks out for him.

He claims that back in 2001 John Door told him, "My advice to you is to have a coach". to which Schmidt responded, "Why would I need a coach? Am I doing something wrong?...How could a coach advise me if I'm the best in the world at this?"

However, after his initial resentment, he realized, "that's not what a coach does. The coach doesn't have to play the sport as well as you do. They have to watch you and get you to be your best. In the business context a coach is not a repetitious coach. A coach is somebody who looks at something with another set of eyes, describes it to you in (his) words, and discusses how to approach the problem".

Schmidt saw himself in a position of power as a CEO but after hiring a coach he was able to recognize that even the best, can be better.

Power of a Continuous Journey

After watching this video I began to wonder about my own definition of success. Have I been driving on a one way street? 5 lane highway? Or, have I been circling on a round about?

Though more importantly....What is your success?

What does success look like to you?

What does success mean to you?

What does your success journey feel like?

I love what Richard St. John says about success. It truly is NOT a one way street...it is a continuous journey.

Do you want to simply reach success?

Or do you want to reach it and MAINTAIN it?

The choice is yours.