#1 “It’s never too late to bloom”
September 5, 2024Hello,
As summer turns into autumn and everyone resumes their daily routines, I’m starting a new ritual: each month, I’ll be sharing a few thoughts with you about a book that has inspired me and enriched my coaching practice.
I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.
It's Never Too Late to Bloom by Catherine Taret.
What better way to begin our conversation than with this book!
In what initially seems like a light and easy read, Catherine Taret takes us on a journey of self-discovery. It’s a slightly crazy, whimsical journey, during which the author opens her heart to a range of experiments. From psychoanalysis to astrology, via tarot and numerology, our storyteller explores herself relentlessly in an effort to understand and find herself. In other words, to arrive and bloom.
But what does it mean to "bloom"? Does it mean to have succeeded? To have arrived (but where?)? To have made it (but with whom?)? With humour and self-deprecation (and a hefty dose of courage), Catherine Taret analyses and deconstructs this all-too-familiar feeling of chasing success.
For who can claim to be free from the societal pressure to succeed? Social markers of success are everywhere and form a framework around us. What feelings arise when we “haven’t made it”? Anxiety, doubt, worry... So, Catherine, who isn’t one to just go along with things, searches, searches... Who is she? What is she going to do with her life?
One of the key moments in the book occurs when the author becomes aware of the natural talents she possesses, which, all things considered, could be an excellent starting point for her professional happiness.
But how do you identify them?
Once again, Catherine explores, discusses, searches, and questions. It doesn’t happen overnight, but eventually, thanks to a test (the Gallup Strengths Test – and at this point, you might be thinking, “all this for a test I can buy online!” Well, yes and no – the test marks the turning point, but it’s the sum of her efforts that led her there): she discovers that when we invest our energy in developing our strengths rather than trying to improve our weaknesses, our potential for growth multiplies.
I find this perspective full of energy and joy. The more we work on our natural talents, the more we grow.
Have you ever taken the time to discover your natural strengths? How has this influenced your journey?
And if this reflection is new to you, take a moment to think... What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What are you proud of? I challenge you to name at least 10 of your natural talents, whatever they may be. Tell me!
If this feels daunting, start “small.” Think about your days – and your nights! What do you do easily, without much thought, even on those grey days? For some, it might be training with passion and discipline for a marathon. For others, it might be organising dinners and gatherings with friends. And for some, it might be taking great pleasure in analysing, coding, and playing with the boxes of complex spreadsheets. Yes. EVERYTHING is valid.
Becoming aware of the pleasure and energy we gain when we love what we do is an essential starting point for truly “blooming.” It’s the first step in connecting the dots, gaining perspective, changing angles and outlooks. Stepping outside the box to see what’s inside. It’s dizzying, and it’s thrilling.
It’s always the journey that counts.
Catherine Taret talks about "late bloomers," those who, against all odds, search and eventually find themselves. But today, I question this very notion of "late bloomer." Is there a specific moment when we "arrive" somewhere, when we "find ourselves"?
Blooming is a journey, a continuous experience, a way of being in life. And this journey is what I invite you to embark on, or to continue, with me. Together, let’s explore, grow, and discover the many facets of who we truly are.
I’d be delighted to hear your thoughts on this reflection. How do you perceive your own journey of blooming?
“I’ve lived a life that’s full, I’ve travelled each and every highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way.”