In the coaching courses I followed, I learned to always focus on what someone can. Which talent anyone can more effectively use and which of his patterns are in the way. It is almost forbidden to indicate that someone is not able to do something. This is not motivating, rather paralyzing. It is strange to me that it is the other way!

At my first job as an auditor I worked with a team leader. He told me he did not think I was able for a large group of people a compelling story to tell. Five years later I gave my first training to some 30 new employees. At my second job as a financial advisor I applied to the post of financial manager. The board of directors indicated that I was too young and was not able to lead such an important department. And five months later I was in that job as financial manager. Apparently the words “You Are Not Able to” motivates me with such positive energy that I get to what I really want to achieve.

In my new career as a trainer / (NLP-) coach in the areas of communication, personal development and team development, I am busy building a network. An important target for me are financial professionals. As this is my background and because I think these professionals can get more from their careers as they understand their customers and their customers as well understand them. Thanks to a former colleague I came in contact with the head of learning and development center of a large accountancy firm. After a difficult conversation she indicated that she thought I was not able to coach managers and directors from their company. Not able to …. So, how long will this take?

If I have a goal and someone else tells me to think that I am not able, my perception change from: ‘Am I able?’ into ‘Oh yes, I can do this!!’