As many of you know, I have been on a personal journey lately. This journey has come as almost a surprise as I had no idea a little over a year ago my heart’s desire was to write a book about hiring. The milestones needed to get to this point have been challenging and exciting, but I am focused on achieving my goal.
A few months ago, one of our treasured recruiters, Melissa Witherspoon, left to pursue her personal journey. I asked her what prompted her decision and she reflected for a minute and then shared she had recently read a book, which encouraged her to move in the direction of HER personal journey, or as the book calls it “your Personal Legend.” What I thought was interesting was her comment after she shared the name of the book with me. She said, “Do not read unless you are ready to change your life.”
This book was The Alchemist.
This is a fable about a young man who starts his journey with a dream. Literally. He takes the first step to unravel the meaning of the recurring dream, which sets him on a challenging journey. Every step of the way, he faces obstacles where he must make choices about continuing. Along the way, he is provided signs and mentors to help with his decisions. What he learns is where he thought his treasure would be was not where he thought it would be. However, he had to reach the place where he thought his treasure would be in order to find his true treasure.
The book has many nuggets of wisdom for each of us as we search for our Personal Legend. What is interesting is our journey will not necessarily take us in a straight path to achieve our goals. What it will do is provide us with tools we will need along the way to achieve those goals.
For example, for me, I need to be recognized as a hiring authority in order to gain credibility for my book about hiring. My journey has taken me in a different direction; personal branding. However, through my personal branding, I have been noticed and engaged to speak on the topic of hiring. I have been invited on multiple podcasts and am now the host of our company’s podcast, We Are VIP Podcast. Along the way, I have met some incredible people who are now mentors and coaches as I make this journey.
Buddha said, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” This is the story of The Alchemist. Each step of the way, the young Santiago finds the tools he needs to complete his journey at the exact moment he is ready to receive them.
I want to share a few quotes from the book which impacted me:
- “…when each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.”
- “Maktub…it is written.”
- “…people need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want.”
- “…life is the moment we are living right now.”
- “When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize their dream.”
What is your personal legend? Are you keeping your eyes open for the people or tools which will help you on your journey? Are you grateful when you receive advice or tools to advance?
I highly recommend reading this book several times. Some parts are fantastical, but the moral of the fable is one we should all hear.
