This week I hit a pretty big milestone, something I believed was impossible and only for “those people” (you know, the super successful ones that run in the right circles). But I, “me, little plain jane no-one special me”, this gal, she achieved it.

In my day to day life I am a pastry chef. I have never dreamed very big or thought that highly of my skill set. Sure I graduated from pastry school with a scholarship and top marks, challenged my trade ticket, again with great marks, had chances to go into competitions and even own a bakery. But, me….I could never be that girl, step into that power or do those things. Firstly, I just “wasn’t good enough” and secondly those opportunities weren’t handed to me or achieved too easily. Life achievement and the things worth having are hard work, life isn’t easy…..I’m not the one with luck, that’s everyone else, or so I thought.

I have always loved sharing food and baking with others. I thoroughly enjoy nurturing and caring for those around me; loving on others comes naturally. Nothing gives me greater joy than sharing my love of baking with others and helping them find confidence in creating delicious creations. My approach in the kitchen is seeking to understand not only the science of baking but, the fears and inhibitions of others, and to seek play, exploration, and creativity. Baking should never be stressful. Since I had such a strong passion to share my knowledge and excitement I thought I would try my hand at instructing classes. So I saddled up and started instructing a small program at a community kitchen. Assisting those who have diverse abilities and limited access to food and proper kitchen ware, to create delicious and nourishing baked goods. I created an uplifting space full of laughs and connection. It was here I realized just how much I love to teach and I have to do this! This was undeniably my next step…find a way to teach as a career.

Fast forward a year, my mentor brought it to my attention a local cook wares store is hiring for instructors for their classes. I resisted, this was too easy….all I had to do was put in an application. Not only that, I knew if I worked at this place I would get connected with “the people”…the people who make up the core, well known people in my town’s food industry. This wasn’t my way of doing things. But what the heck, let’s try something different on. For years I have thought achievement meant hard work and thus kept doing the same thing and getting the same result. So with the support of my mentor and words of my life coach swirling in my head, I thought why not. As it would appear, trying something different paid off.

We often have these ideas about life, work, friends or family; how certain things should be. For me, achievement and success only come with hard work, it has to feel hard, but what if I started to look at things differently. What if I turned it all on its head? What if all the steps I have been taking that don’t “feel” like hard work are the hard work? What if this is the answer to the equation, the gift from the universe? What if all I need to do now is step into the present moment with grace; to feel and own my power and worth. As I start to grasp my worth and my value, I can see the nuggets the universe hands to me as gifts instead of not seeing them at all or pining over something I wish I could have but I’m just not good enough for. Hello! I am….all I need to do is get out of my own way and step into it. Life isn’t any less scary when my automatic thoughts are turned on their head but life is a little less hard and feels more rewarding.

What thoughts are in your way? How do you think the world is and the people in it? What do you think you deserve? I betcha all you need to do is get out of your own way.