Foundations: Getting Started (Part 2)

Ton is such a great teacher! It seems like he was teaching without a net today, but he was really addressing our questions and concerns as well as helping us clarify exactly what coaching is (and what’s expected from us as coaches).

I feel like the most powerful thing he said today is that we’re not in the helping business, but we are in the clarifying business. We don’t give them suggestions or advice - that only shows them that they can hire someone to solve their problems! What coaches do is to make the picture as clear as possible, and to allow the client to see how they can shift their perspective to get unstuck. They can apply that practice for the rest of their lives on their own, and that’s way more empowering!

One of my fellow students said that she’s going to focus on being the World’s Best Listener, since that’s such a key element in being an effective coach. But when Ton asked, “How will your client know that you’re the World’s Best Listener?” he stumped us all! But by:

* asking questions
* giving great feedback
* putting together what they said during the entire session(s)
* making them stop and question themselves

they’ll know that you’re taking in what’s being said, processing it, and figuring out how to clarify (notice that I didn’t say help) their situation. This is something that I’m constantly going to keep in mind, since I know I quickly tend to give “advice” and “fill the silences” in order to feel like I’m “helping.” It’s going to be a whole new way of approaching situations for me.

I had a lot of ideas spark this week, so I’m going to go on record by saying that I’m committing myself to spend 10 hours next week brainstorming business names and tag lines, as well as defining my niche and starting my welcome packet. By the time I get back from my trip to Florida on 9/17, I’ll

* have a business name

* have a great tag line

* have defined my niche and mission statement

* have started my Welcome Packet

It’s scary to think that by this time next week (almost) I’ll know where I’m going, but I think it’s the only way I can get out of my doubt loop (y’know, the little voice in my head saying “You can’t start coaching! You don’t know what you’re doing yet!”) and into my new career.

It’s hard to think of something to be grateful for today, since I found out 2 hours ago that I’ve been audited for my 2005 taxes. But, since I did have a lovely afternoon with my grandparents prior to getting that letter, I am very grateful to have both of my mother’s parents in my life when I’m the ripe old age of 29+. I know that I always have their love, guidance, and support, and I’m so thankful for the time that I get to spend with them.