Thank the Lord! The pandering is done and I’m gonna get the kick in the pants I need!

I started Supervised Coaching tonight & I’m just in heaven. Man, I wish that this was a mandatory class for the last 2 years I’ve been doing this program. The other students are great coaches are great peers, and the teacher Sheri is top notch. While she does focus on the “positive” aspects of each 15-min laser session that occurs, she doesn’t not call you out when you take the wrong path, like I did today.

I started kicking arse and taking names. I knew that I was focused, direct, energetic, and hitting most of the ICF Core Competencies. And then I looked at my watch and saw that I was 12 minutes in, and I picked the wrong fork in the road: the one that says, “Can I offer you a suggestion?” Instead of following that up with a direct question – one that I had on the tip of my tongue – I told the client what I thought he should do. I TOLD him! It was ridiculous! And in the middle of it I had to stop and say, “Ugh, I’m totally giving you advice right now” – but the even worse part was I thought (I really did think) that what I was doing was OK. It’s OK to give a suggestion if you ask and the client says “Yes, please.” Isn’t it? Uh, no. No, it’s not. And I need to cut it out because it’s absolutely ruining my “genius” (Sherri’s words, not mine) coaching.

I need to stop the advice giving.

I need to stop the multiple questions.

I need to talk 25-50% less than I do.

These are not “shoulds”. These are not “wants”. These are “needs”.

Thankfully, I feel that this class will kick these bad habits to the curb and will rewire my brain – maybe not totally, but enough to make a difference. Enough to be a “genius” coach at least most of the time. I know I have it in me. I know I can do it.

It’s time to focus (there’s that word again!). The time is now.

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Today I’m grateful for my Supervised class & teacher (duh)!