Coaching is so much more about sharing wisdom than merely providing information. Information makes us smarter, while wisdom brings contentment, tranquility, and serenity. Who doesn’t need more of those things in their lives? Information is easy to find. Wisdom is hard to earn.

In my personal and professional lives, I regularly realize that every one of us is on an endless search for happiness. We believe achieving the next goal allows us to finally experience the joy, relief, and peace of mind we’ve longed for. We imagine happiness as a destination where we can finally “settle down” and enjoy life.

Why do we tend to imagine the worst possible outcomes at first?Why is it so much easier to anticipate what can go wrong rather than what can go right? Why is the news filled with a litany of horrors and seldom good news? Why do so many of us lean towards warning others of impending doom rather than highlighting how things can improve? The answer is simple.

Context is a word abused by people who lack the courage to advocate for moral clarity. That’s a shame because the appropriate understanding of context can profoundly and positively impact our lives. We’ve all heard of living a purpose-driven life. Today, I invite you to consider creating a context-driven life.

Today, I want to share a distinction that might not sit well with many of you. Some of you will resent me for it. And some of you may change your life because of it. Even if only one person is moved to make that change because of a deeper understanding of this distinction, my effort would be well worth it.