Recently, a strategic business coach shared an idea with me that really stuck. They said, “When you’re looking at the label, you can’t see what the label is when you’re inside the jar.” It’s a simple picture, but it carries a lot of truth. When we look at ourselves, we’re looking from the inside out. We don’t see what others see. We think we know who we are, where we’re going, and what we’re doing, but sometimes there are things others notice that we simply can’t.
When you’re inside the jar, you can’t read the label. You might think everything is working out fine, but someone else may see something different. That’s why community matters. We need people around us who can help, challenge, and encourage us, people we trust, people who understand us, people who can offer perspective we can’t get on our own.
Over the years, I’ve been part of groups where trust is built slowly and intentionally. As you get to know each other, you start to understand how people think, what they value, and how they process life. And in that space, people can offer ideas that genuinely help. They can see angles you’ve missed. They can help you step outside your own thoughts and look at things from a different direction.
I’ve experienced this myself through coaching. Coaches have helped me think outside the box, step outside the jar, and look at things from a different angle. They ask questions that make you pause; Have you thought about this? Why does that matter to you? What happens if you follow that path? Sometimes you realise you’re on the right track. Other times, you discover something new.
But not every voice is the right voice. Some people simply don’t understand what you’re going through. They speak from their own jar, their own perspective, and it doesn’t always fit your situation. That’s why it matters who you talk to. When you talk to someone who speaks your language, whether that’s business, faith, personal growth, or anything else, things become clearer.
I’ve learned that the right people won’t push their agenda on you. They won’t tell you what you should be doing. They’ll help you explore, reflect, and discover what’s right for you. They’ll guide you if they’ve walked the path before, but they’ll never force you into something that doesn’t fit.
Community helps us grow. It helps us take off the masks, step out of our shells, and see things we couldn’t see on our own. It helps us filter what’s helpful and what’s not. And it helps us move forward with clarity, purpose, and confidence.
So if you’re stuck inside your jar, staring at the back of the label and not sure what’s going on, open the lid. Let some perspective in. Talk to someone you trust. Reach out. You don’t have to do it alone.
If you’re looking for clarity, direction, or purpose, I’d love to walk with you. Let’s explore where things could go and help you move forward in a good way.
