Something someone said recently stopped me in my tracks and completely reframed how I think about personal growth.
I was listening to someone I’ve recently started following — one of those people whose words just land. The way he shows up in business and in life, it all feels like how I would operate, but he’s a few steps ahead. Then he said this: “Wherever you’re feeling stuck and looking for improvement, look for evidence that it’s already happening.”
It wasn’t just the words, it was the truth in them that hit me. Where you are feeling stuck, you might already be shifting and just don’t see it! Like many people, I can be hard on myself. Some days, that inner critic is loud. I focus on where I still need to grow, rather than noticing where I already have.
Even saying that out loud feels a little vulnerable, but it’s real. Others often reflect growth back to me that I haven’t been giving myself credit for.
Does this resonate with you? So I’ve been working on that, on actually seeing what’s already shifting.
Here’s a recent example:
Lately, I’ve been journalling about feeling more confident in my work: owning my voice, my experience, and expertise. Within 15 minutes of writing about that intention, I got an email from a client that said: “Thank you for your expertise.”
It felt like a moment of synchronicity. One small sentence, but exactly the affirmation I had asked for. So I tracked it. And then I started looking for more of those moments. Not just to collect “feel-good” wins, but to notice what’s already working.
Because sometimes, growth doesn’t show up in big dramatic changes.
It shows up in:
• How you speak to yourself
• How others respond to you
• What opportunities show up without you forcing them
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure in any part of life right now, try this: name what you want more of. Then, start looking for small signs that it’s already showing up. It might not be obvious at first. But once you notice it, your attention sharpens. And what you focus on, expands.
Keep your daily proof in one place. Review it when doubt creeps in. That’s how real confidence is built, not all at once, but one aligned moment at a time. Because maybe you’re further along than you think.
Chris Wilkinson is a local business coach, speaker, and columnist who helps growth-minded entrepreneurs create more clarity, confidence, and lifestyle freedom — both in business and in life. You can learn more at coachingwithchris.ca
