I decided in Jan 17 that I was looking for an opportunity for significant growth in my offering to my clients and a differentiator in the Irish and European Markets. I had started my business two years earlier following a 20yr corporate career and I was about to commence my second Diploma in ‘Advanced Business and Executive Coaching’ at UCD Smurfit Business School in Dublin. I was already familiar with Jack Canfield and his work having first been introduced to him through ‘The Secret’ 10yrs earlier. I was re-acquainted with Jack when I attended the Pendulum Summit in Dublin where he was speaking. Sean Gallagher (of Ireland’s ‘Dragon’s Den’ fame) introduced Jack to the stage and in his introduction he mentioned that he had completed a ‘Train the Trainer’ program with Jack some years previously and had found the experience exceptional and personally enhancing. I decided to contact Jack Canfield and decided following that discussion to sign up for a comprehensive program which included 14 days training with Jack Canfield in person, in Los Angeles, 7 days in July and 7 days in November. On completion of this training I would become a Jack Canfield ‘Certified Trainer and Methodologist’ . I touched down in LAX ready for my first 7 days of training, in July. To me this was a great adventure for which I held great expectations. My main expectation was that the course would further expand my knowledge and capabilities to help me better empower my clients, unlock their potential and help them fully realize their personal power. Training began on July 8th in Newport Beach. My first delight was meeting the other delegates, forty in total, from around the world. There was representation from US, Ireland (me), UK, Germany, Mexico, Australia, Finland, France, Chile and Denmark. They had a wide range of backgrounds too; Business Owners, CEO’s, Coaches, Trainers, Screen writers, Authors, Doctors, a Fashion Designer, a Dance School owner and even one lottery winner. We all had one thing in common, everyone wanted to positively impact both the world they encountered and other people through their work . We were all there to see how Jack Canfield’s Success Principles were going to help us do it. Meeting Jack in person was not a disappointment, as can often be the case with people that we are used to seeing on television, stage or through their publications. He was low key and understated but with a powerful personal presence. Probably the best thing I experienced about Jack throughout the seven days, was his ability to share a story with a message, bringing his success principles and peak performance strategies to life through practical examples and real experience. There is a spiritual element that runs through Jack’s work and training. Jack describes himself as having been a ‘hippie’ in the 60’s. He went on to graduate from Harvard, with a Master’s Degree in Psychological Education. None of this however takes away from his realistic view of what we are facing in modern business and in our lives in general in the challenges of the 21st century. In fact, his blending of the spiritual aspects of life with the practical realities of what we all face, highlighted to me the importance of self care and mindfulness in today’s corporate and business world. During the week, our standard day started at 8.30am and ran to 6pm, however additional master classes were available most mornings and evenings, with topics ranging from ‘Value Based Corporate Training and Coaching’ with Kathleen Seely (MassivelyHumanLeadership) to ‘The Value of Mastermind Groups’ with Rick Peitry. Days therefore often stretched from 7.30 am to 9pm, allowing us each to explore the different avenues and topics around the core learning modules of the day that most suited or appealed to us as individuals. I found the days very challenging in terms of topics and depth as well as the long hours. So what did I learn from the 7 days of the extraordinary experience? which constitutes only the first half of my training with Jack. First, I learnt that being around like-minded people in a group setting, with a common quest and desire to learn and develop, has a powerful impact on your learning and is generally highly enjoyable. I learnt that anybody can transform their lives if they want to. I also learnt that we can all be very successful without compromising our values. I came to realize that if you have a vision of how you would like to be, or even an inkling that life can be better, you do not have to do it alone and there is an abundance of knowledge and people out there willing to help you to achieve and live the life you want. Whether your dream is to; obtain a clearer sense of purpose in what you are doing, fulfill your ambitions within the corporate world whilst maintaining strong values, build your own business or have a better life for you and your family, you can achieve this and you do not have to do it alone. Please check out my website www.amandawallace.ie or contact me for any further information. Also I recommend reading Jack Canfield Success Principles.
