JOHN AVERY
Pioneer of the Mace Energy Method Training Program • Senior MEM Practitioner Trainer
My journey in this field began in 1963. I had a fairly successful business but I seemed limited—I could not progress past a certain point. Working hard was no problem as it was enjoyable. I was vaguely aware I was holding myself back somehow but I had no idea how. I commenced searching for the answers as to why some people could set goals and then achieve them with consummate ease, while others, not lacking in effort, could not do so.
This search took me to my first counselling sessions, which certainly made me feel better—a lot of my negativity and self–destructive habits abated. My attitude improved and a very important thing came out of the counselling—I realised I was fully responsible for the results in my life, good or bad, and I stopped blaming others for my problems.
From this improvement I decided that I would like to help others as I had been helped, so in early 1964 I commenced training as a counsellor/consultant in Perth. In 1966 I went to England and then Canada and America for more training and experience, which continued into the ’80s. Along the way, despite different methods of healing and motivation, I still felt something was missing. For both clients and myself I noticed that some problem areas would go away, only to resurface again later. It seemed impossible to achieve a permanent change no matter what the skill of the counsellor and the good intentions of each party. Something was still missing.
Because I could not achieve permanent results for my clients I felt a little like a fraud, so ceased my counselling activities. My journey so far had led me to realise that many others were looking for the same thing—a permanent solution to overcome the seemingly invisible hurdles in life, blocking happiness and achievement.
For me life has three main areas: work, home and social. There are many examples of one person being great at work but with lots of family and relationship problems, while others are fine socially but can’t handle work. Their potential has only been realised in one area. To me, true happiness lies in being on top in all areas.
Today there are many methods of healing or motivation, which can and do make people feel a lot better; that is easy, but how long it lasts is the real criterion. Although not a criticism, for I am full of admiration for those who genuinely want to work with and help their fellow man, I call these feel good therapies.
Over the years, because no permanent solution has emerged to handle life’s problems, a large part of society has been conditioned to the quick fix, hence the prevalence of drugs, illegal or otherwise. It is as if many people are grasping for any little bit of transient happiness regardless of the consequences.
In 1995 I was in Perth and met up again with John Mace. Our paths had crossed a few times over the years and we had remained friendly because of our similar interests in self–improvement techniques.