ABOUT COACHING

Coaching is a profession used today by millions as a means of effecting desired change in professional and/or personal aspects of life. Unlike mentoring where we follow proven behaviors to get the same results, coaching specifically honors the uniqueness of each person. Each of us will lead and inspire differently; we teach differently; we parent differently. A professional coach, like with athletic coaching, sees the unique characteristics of the client as assets to be polished while honing new skills towards a desired outcome.

Consider the difference between management and leadership. Managing people and projects takes a discipline to insure tasks get the attention to detail necessary and that goals are met. Inspiring people working on these tasks to take risks, to look “outside the box”, to reach for new heights is about leadership. Both skills are necessary; often we can hone good managers with mentoring skills. To create leaders, we use the skills of a coach.

Every coaching client arrives fully formed in life and body. We are these lovely unique combinations of everything experienced and all that we believe to be true of our world. We start the collaborative process knowing that nothing is broken or “wrong”. Instead, there is a desire for change – something is missing, or lacking perhaps. Perhaps a new challenge is being taken on and we don’t want to tackle it alone. There are many reasons to seek support in making effective change.

WHAT HOLDS YOU BACK?

• Can I learn this new “stuff”? What will others think of me? Fear?
• Outdated beliefs and practices held so tightly we get stuck.
• Acceptance of “what is” without examination such as:
  • Everyone ages; I’m too old to change; it’s too late for me
  • Younger people get all the good stuff
  • I’ve managed large organizations so running my own business will be a snap.

Most often we simply do not know …what we do not know. Until I began studying yoga, I thought it was all about the physical movements; only later did I realize there is so much more to it.

WE START WITH A CONVERSATION

You bring the expertise of knowing you. I bring years of training in a diversity of disciplines and my own life experiences. Using a variety of tools, together we create a customized coaching program designed specifically for your lifestyle and way of being, and targeted for your desired change. This can include self-observations, journaling, a physical activity such as yoga, tennis or aikido, books, assessments, dream boards…whatever will support your desired goals.

It is important to get to know one another and determine if we click. Our first 90 minute session is complementary. Because this is a collaborative process, it is essential that it feels right to both of us. If it works, we take the next step. If not, I will gladly offer recommendations for other coaches and/or other forms of practitioners. (See Coaching Resources for additional information.)

• How much time is needed to address the desired outcome(s)?
• Will we begin immediately or set a date in the future?
• Will we meet once a week for an hour or every other week for 90 minutes?

During the second session, you will receive a recommended personalized coaching program. Together we make any necessary modifications to the scope of effort or allow for time commitments. From there we flow into our agreed upon schedule of sessions.

At each subsequent session, we review what you are learning, how your efforts are affecting your situation and make any modifications necessary.

INTEGRATION VS A “QUICK FIX”

How do you know when you are making progress? Real change takes time. Having a coach is like having a 360 degree mirror – often we can’t see progress being made. We may feel change is not occurring fast enough when, in truth, rapid change is being made. Perspective is another gift of the “360 mirror”! Ultimately coaching supports you in becoming more self-correcting not only in the initial area of concern but in others as well. We’ll work to help you transfer new skills into other areas of your life, to sustain change over time. Why spin your wheels when life can be so abundant?

A COMMON COACHING CHALLENGE!

In an often overly busy life, how do we fit something additional into the mix? How do we find the time? When asked many clients say they will just sleep less. If we are working on the whole being, physical, mental and emotional well being are important. Instead I invite you to consider this: for a reasonable period of coaching, what one activity would you be willing to forego to effect the desired change? Example: when I decided to lose 40 pounds, I gave up reading one novel a week. I needed the time to prepare my meal plan, shop for fresh produce and maintain a food log. While not mandatory setting aside time for change allows for faster results with better long term integration of the new skills.