Joshua Gold Coaching

Embracing Chaos: A Path to Growth in Business and Personal Life

In our fast-paced world, chaos seems more like a constant companion than a fleeting visitor. Both in the realms of business and personal life, chaos is often viewed negatively, synonymous with disorder and disruption. However, there's an emerging perspective that suggests chaos isn't the villain we've made it out to be. Instead, it could be a powerful catalyst for growth, innovation, and transformation. Let's delve into how chaos, when understood and harnessed, can be a profound driver of change and growth in both business and personal arenas.

The Nature of Chaos

Chaos is unpredictable, seemingly random, and can be incredibly unsettling. In business, it might manifest as a sudden market downturn, unexpected shifts in consumer behavior, or rapid technological advancements. Personally, chaos could appear as any life-altering experience, from losing a loved one to an unexpected career opportunity. Despite its...

Just start where you are and take the next right action...is an excellent mantra for personal and business growth. It emphasizes the importance of being present and not getting overwhelmed by the entirety of a journey or a significant goal. Starting where you are is acknowledging one's current state without judgment. It's a call to realistically assess your immediate situation and capabilities and then make a purposeful move toward your goal. However small that move might be.

Taking the next right action is about making a decision that aligns with your values, goals, and available information. It suggests that progress often comes from consistent, incremental steps rather than grand, sweeping leaps. It's like running a marathon; you focus on one stride at a time, one mile at a time, rather than 26.2 miles at once.

This approach is supported by research into goal setting and achievement. Studies show that breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones makes them...

“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think” Marcus Aurelius.

“An adult is what people see on the outside, not who the person is on the inside” Joshua G Gold

Here are a few definitions of the word adult
noun
1.a person who is fully grown or developed.

verb
INFORMAL

1. behave in a way characteristic of a responsible adult, especially by accomplishing mundane but necessary tasks.

Then I noticed there are three stages of adulthood as follows:

(they added a 4th stage a few minutes ago:) )

The four stages of adulthood examined here include:

• Early adulthood (ages 22–34).
• Early Middle Age (ages 35–44).
• Late Middle Age (ages 45–64).
• Late adulthood (ages 65 and older).

What struck me as surprising with the 3 or 4 stages is that Early adulthood beings at 22 years old. So we are sending children who are not fully developed to fight our wars. To make decisions about someone else’s and their own lives. Doesn’t that strike you as reckless, if nothing else? We are allowing children to carry guns and drive a 2000 lb....

Upon reflection of a conversation I had with a friend the other day, I started thinking about his story.  We all have our stories.  What brought us here to this particular place.  We're all here for a reason.

Somehow, strangely connected.  Finding value in that reason is the magic.

The lessons that can be learned from each interaction with another human being.  To capture those moments, you need to be present and slow things down.   If you move through life too quickly, you risk missing them.

Each and every one of those moments is a precious and unique opportunity.

What are you searching for in those moments? It's better to have absolutely no expectations and just accept them for what they are. 

Moments, interactions with another human being.

Every interaction with another person doesn't have to be anything but a conversation.  It's incredible what you can learn about others from just listening.

Stoicism talks about not having to...

How significant is transformation in your life? Or maybe you think that it isn't transformation that you need at all. 

Sometimes we use different words that mean the same thing, such as growth or, as I sometimes refer to changes in my life, as my metamorphosis. Either way, if none of these terms resonate with you, then no need to read any further. 

There is a saying, " if you're not growing, you're dying." I think it's safe to say that it is the last thing any of us want!

You see, growing up in Brooklyn, NY, in the '60s and '70s, I was never given the tools to look at my life as I do now. My parents weren't growth-oriented. Or at least they weren't verbal or consciously aware of it. More than likely, they didn't know how to talk about it either. It wasn't a thing then.

As I grew up and started working, I never thought much about the future or my growth as an individual. I didn't know what I was doing was anything other than what I was doing.

During those earlier...

“Fear is selfish; courage is selfless. Face the fear and open up the space in your life for courage.” Joshua G Gold

Interesting concept that fear is selfish. Who are you hurting besides yourself? Hmm. So fear is all about you. Well, that sounds kind of selfish. I am not talking about the fear of being hit by a car while riding your bike (which happened to me the other day. Ouch!). I am referring to the fear of not realizing the person you can be because you are afraid. Afraid of failing, afraid of people laughing at you. Afraid that you aren’t enough. So you stay small where no one can see you. Or you remain hidden behind the mask and sense of security of what you are good at doing. Without going out into the world and doing what you genuinely want to.

Who are you cheating? Yourself? Sure. But how about all those people that would benefit from what you have to offer? How about them? How about the many lives that you can touch and change for the better? What about...

There is the knowledge that we have that we need to be reminded of.

There are things that we have learned that need to be unlearned.

There are things that we need to discard and others that we need to add.

Spend time each day thinking of what those things are. 

There is the knowledge that we have that we need to be reminded of. 

How often are we sitting listening to someone speaking, and we think we are hearing something for the first time and then realize we have listened to it so many times before? We all do. The thing about that is when we heard it the other times, it didn’t stick. It might not have been that relevant to where you were in your life. Now it is. Now it is something that you might take action on. That is when it will stick. Knowledge is just knowledge. Until you use that knowledge and take action, you are bound to forget it until the time when you are reminded of it. Then just maybe, it will stick. 

There are things that we have learned that...