HOW I SEE THE WORLD
The philosophy behind my work.
Growth isn't about becoming someone else. It's about uncovering more of who we already are.
Many of the principles that shape my work come from Japanese philosophy, alongside the timeless wisdom of Stoicism. But probably not as you know it.
Although these philosophies emerged from different cultures centuries apart, they share a common thread. They encourage us to embrace change, find meaning in adversity, focus on what we can control and recognise that lasting transformation comes through awareness, intention and consistent action.
Over the years I've realised these aren't simply ideas I admire. They have quietly become the foundation of the way I live, the way I coach and the way I see the world.
THE PRINCIPLES
Five ideas, carried from different times and places, that quietly built the way I work.
金継ぎ
Kintsugi — Finding strength in the cracks
The Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Rather than hiding the cracks, it honours them as part of the object's story. Our greatest challenges often become the source of our greatest wisdom. We don't need to erase our past to move forward. We become stronger because of it.
侘寂
Wabi-Sabi — The beauty of being perfectly imperfect
Wabi-Sabi celebrates simplicity, authenticity and the quiet beauty found in imperfection. We are all wonderfully flawed. The goal isn't perfection, it never was. When we commit to understanding ourselves, healing old wounds and growing with intention, we become what I like to call perfectly imperfect. Far more human, and far more freeing.
勿体ない
Mottainai — Don't waste what already exists within you
Traditionally, Mottainai expresses regret when something valuable is wasted. For me it carries a deeper meaning. The greatest waste isn't money or possessions. It's living a life disconnected from your own potential. So much of what we need is already within us. Sometimes we simply need the space, support and understanding to rediscover it.
改善
Kaizen — Small changes, extraordinary results
Kaizen teaches us that lasting transformation happens through consistent, incremental improvement, not dramatic overnight reinventions. One honest conversation. One healthier habit. One difficult boundary. Over time, those tiny one percent improvements compound into remarkable change, in both money and life.
...
Stoicism — Emotional freedom through wise action
True Stoicism isn't a stiff upper lip. Originating in Ancient Greece and later embraced throughout the Roman Empire, it teaches that while we cannot control what happens to us, we can always choose how we respond. The dichotomy of control invites us to recognise the difference between what is within our control and what is not. That isn't emotional detachment. It's emotional freedom.
ALONGSIDE THESE PRINCIPLES
Rather than ignoring difficult emotions, I was drawn to Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as EFT or Tapping.
It helps us acknowledge, process and release emotion, allowing us to respond with greater calm, clarity and intention. It complements the principles of Stoicism beautifully, helping us focus our energy where it can make the greatest difference.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
I don't believe people need fixing. I believe they need understanding.
Whether I'm helping someone navigate relationships, divorce, family dynamics, trauma, financial confidence or life's next chapter, my role isn't to tell them who to become. It's to help them reconnect with who they already are, but were never truly allowed to be.
To replace judgement with curiosity. Fear with understanding. Reaction with intention. Perfection with progress. And survival with a life lived consciously.
Our scars tell a story. They are not something to hide. They are something we can wear with pride.
Liz Harrington
WHAT GUIDES ME
The five principles that guide my work.
1
Honour your story
Every experience has shaped the person you are becoming.
2
Embrace your humanity
Perfection is never the goal. Authenticity is.
3
Recognise what's already within you
You are far more capable than you realise.
4
Take the next small step
Lasting transformation is built one intentional choice at a time.
5
Choose your response
You may not control every circumstance, but you always have the power to decide what happens next.
PHILOSOPHY
I believe a meaningful life isn't created by avoiding the cracks. It's created by learning to fill them with gold.
Everything I create, whether it's coaching, writing, speaking or teaching, is built upon these five principles.