We all find ourselves at certain points in life where we are wondering…
What’s it all about?
Am I on the right path?
How do I move forward?
When should I take the next step?
One of the joys of life is that it is ever changing, which brings with it opportunities, challenges… and a whole lot of questions!
But how do we access a deep understanding of where we are at in the present moment and ensure that we make the best decisions for ourselves now and in the future?
We can certainly work on our own to make sense of transformation and that messy in-between period, when we have not quite let go of the old way of being and not quite stepped into the new, by using books, podcasts, advice from friends or family, journalling and listening to our own inner guidance.
However, we are limited to what our own intellect and intuition will allow us to stretch into and sometimes it’s necessary to have an external partner by your side to help you discover an alternative path forward. There’s that old saying “what got you here won’t get you there” and when we are stuck in old patterns or habits it’s nearly impossible to break free of them without outside intervention.
Much as we might like to imagine that we can do everything on our own, we are a social species and interaction with others is crucial to moving forward!
I know that in my own life I tend towards trying to figure it all out solo, but the times when I have had trusted wise others by my side to support me is when I have made exponential progress. Participating in women’s leadership expert Tara Mohr’s Playing Big coaching programme led to a significant shift for me. I witnessed the power that active listening and insightful questions had to interrogate people’s default ways of thinking and being in the world and the coach-led approach to problem solving was masterful at breaking down excuses, defences and fears to help people embrace a more purposeful, aligned and creative existence.
Following this course, I was so convinced of the power of this approach and enlivened with creative energy that I signed up to complete a Graduate Certificate in Professional Coaching… and I bought a loom!
Research published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology discovered the following:
individual coaching and group training were effective in reducing procrastination and facilitating goal attainment. Individual coaching created a high degree of satisfaction and was superior in helping participants attaining their goals, whereas group training successfully promoted the acquisition of relevant knowledge. The results for the self-coaching condition show that independently performing exercises without being supported by a coach is not sufficient for high goal attainment.
Let’s get physical for a moment and use a sports metaphor to show how important coaching is for progress and development. If we think about world champions like Venus and Serena Williams, they would never be without a coach by their side. In fact I would find it hard to imagine any sporting great that would not have a trusted advisor there to provide them structure and support, act as an accountability partner and be a sounding board for their emotional and psychological needs.
And it’s important to note that coaches don’t get onto the court or the field and play the game for these superstars. They simply empower them to be the best that they can be through their presence, conversations, support, and tools. People need people to make them shine, and coaching can help everyone reach even greater heights!
Coaching is an ideal process to help people through the following issues:
Professional issues
Considering a new job or career path
Preventing and/ or emerging out of burnout
Lack of motivation and drive
Difficulties with accountability and getting tasks done
Time management and feeling overwhelmed with ‘busy’ness
Personal issues
Feeling at a crossroads and unsure about what the next step should be
Changing relationships with family, friends or significant others
Life phase transitions such as menopause or parenthood
Boundaries and people pleasing
Life feeling out of balance
Loneliness and lack of connection with others
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does give you some idea about what topics people like to address when they participate in a coaching experience. What people gain from the process is endless - discovering clarity and getting more headspace, finding structure and ease, saving money and time… the benefits are innumerable!
If you like the sound of any or all of the above, I’d love to work with you to bring more of this energy into your life. Click on the button below to book your free Coaching Discovery Call today and start moving from crossroads to clarity.