Coaching Corner: Finding your "-ness"

You are unique. There is no one else out there like you. Think about that for a minute. There is no one else who has your experience, opportunities, resources, background or future.  We may be similar, we may share a lot with family, spouses, and friends but we are all on our own journey.

One of my favorite movies is called You, Me, and Dupree. It stars Owen Wilson, a not quite grown up adult who goes to live with his recently married friends. It is a very silly movie but there is one element that always stands out and inspires me. Dupree (Wilson) talks about finding your “-ness”. What is “-ness”? It is your name with a “-ness” on the end. Example: Amy-ness. It is that thing that sets us apart and makes us unique. It is in essence what we have to bring to the table of life.

As we are setting about adopting new healthy habits and establishing a new healthier self, let us not forget what makes you “you”. Do not focus too much on things to be changed but on those things that are alive within you. Seek out those things that you are doing well and things that you enjoy doing. Build on those strengths and everything else will follow.

We are all on our own health journey, we all have our own unique “-ness”. Sit down today in the quiet and make a list of those things that make you who you are. Think about:

• What values do I strive to live by?


• What excites me?


• What part of my life is most important to me?


• What would I like to accomplish?


• What are the main motivators in my life?


• How can I use these assets on my health and wellness journey?


• How can I build upon these things to become the best version of myself?

Remember you are unique and special. We are whole people, not broken needing to be fixed. Celebrate your “-ness” and everything else will fall into place.