A few days ago, I flipped open Richard Carlson’s classic tome Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and started flicking through the pages.

As I did, I came across a short story about the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.  And Carlson tells the story of a reporter who interviewed the Dalai Lama just after he’d won this prestigious award. 

An award so prestigious, so symbolic of a life dedicated to service, to making a difference and to spreading peace across the world, that some people see it as the ultimate proof of a life well lived.

The question the reporter asked?

“So, what’s next?”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I read this.  I’m sure the Dalai Lama almost toppled off his serenity stool.

In many ways, it reminds me of the endless pursuit of self-improvement that happens in our own lives and all the stumbling around we do to try to better ourselves.

But I’ll let you into a secret:

There’s nothing you can do to fix, improve, change, refine, optimise, enhance, upgrade or polish who you are.

You’ve already won the ultimate prize – just by being you.

I know this isn’t a common idea. I know it might take some getting your head around.

But people are starting to twig.  

To my mind, the rising popularity of mindfulness, slow living and minimalist lifestyles are all examples of how the world is waking up to the idea that happiness and contentment come from inside us.

And it's why the various self-help products, pills & potions that promise to fix you will start to lose their sparkle soon (if they haven’t already).

After all, you can’t improve something that’s already perfect.

Perhaps you’re not convinced. 

If so, I hear you.

But let me ask you this:

How would your life be different if you stopped asking "why don't I get it?" and instead realised there's nothing wrong with you?  What would happen if you let go of "will I ever figure this out?" and saw there's nothing more you needed to do?

On Tuesday at 11am PST / 2pm EST / 7pm GMT on 12^th November, I’m closing the cart for my new Subtraction Method Mastery group coaching programme.

During the programme we’ll explore questions just like these and discover how our biggest obstacle is our own mental roadblocks.

A few months ago, one of my coaching clients wrote to me and said this:

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You’ve taught me to start trying myself again, like a good teacher who can see your own potential before you can grasp it.

The lesson to get out of my own way is one of the most valuable I’ve learned.

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If you’re ready to step aside, stop searching for what’s missing and experience life without the constant pressure to improve, Subtraction Method Mastery is made with you in mind.

If you’d like to find out more about the programme, shoot me an email. 

Tell me a bit about your situation, what you’re looking for from Subtraction Method Mastery and let me know if you have any questions.

In return, I’ll send you all the details.