In an interview, the ever-perceptive Michelle Obama tells Oprah how she came up with the title of her book, Becoming Michelle Obama.
“A question that adults ask kids – I think it’s the worst question in the world – is “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As if growing up is finite. As if you become something and that is all there is.”
On watching this interview, and reading the book, I was stunned by how I resonated with her words.
As a child, I had dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot – yes, the female version of Tom Cruise, believe it or not. When that didn’t quite work out, I went on to study languages. After 7 years of learning German and 3 years of French, I worked briefly in HR and ended up in IT. I don’t regret the path my life has taken, I was fortunate to travel the world, meet new people and learn new things all during this time.
Yet, as we were asked to reflect on the games we played as children during a lecture last year, it struck me that I always used to play “the teacher” – making my cousins the pretend scholars, standing in front of my “class” and teaching them their ABCs. That got me wondering if, despite our life and job decisions to the contrary, our true careers will find us if we don’t manage to find them first?
As I look back at this year, I see so many moments of huge significance. The key reflections are, my international coaching mastery course, my Dad’s accident, my cousins passing, my mom-in law’s brain scare and lastly completing my MBA dissertation. My family difficulties taught me about grief and not to deny the pain, but to find healing and gratitude in every moment. This takes time and everyone has their own journey. Nothing is granted, especially time – make the most of every day, help others, love without limits and be kind.
My coaching mastery taught me about people, but mostly about myself. Living fully through the wonder and beauty of life, a deeper understanding for others, healthy boundaries and closer to my spiritual true self. My MBA taught me resilience, to persevere through the moments of despair and hopelessness. To appreciate the events that shape us and the learnings that life presents us, in all forms, not only through textbooks but also through moments and people that surround us.
And although I’m not jetting around in the air to the tune of Danger Zone, maybe I am continuously becoming – all the time and every day.
- Becoming an exceptional Business and Leadership coach – having completed some of the best coaching trainings and certifications whilst getting my business off the ground.
- Becoming a lecturer, as I’m embarking on my education journey and going back to my teaching dreams – something which has always given me so much joy.
- Becoming a more involved and active mother.
- Becoming a committed partner, as I train for a stage race with my husband by my side.
- Becoming an author, as I start executing my dream of writing the book.
- Becoming so much more than I am, and that I thought was possible.
All of these are part of my personal journey. I have not finished evolving. I am always becoming Adele.
Truly, Michelle Obama said it best: “You grow up and you are many different things – as you have been many different things. And I don’t know what the next step will be. I tell young people that all the time.”
“But the truth is, for me, each decade has offered something amazing that I would never have imagined. And if I had stopped looking, I would have missed out on so much. So, I’m still becoming, and this is the story of my journey.”
From me, Adele, I want to remind you that whatever your journey is, make sure you enjoy it and learn from it! Don’t have regrets about the paths you chose, for there is a reason for everything you do, every single experience count, and that reason is you becoming whatever it is that you need to be – at that point of your life.
I wish you the most wonderfully blessed festive season and hope you rest well and take the time to reflect on infinitely becoming you.
See you in 2020.
Love, Adele