Category Archive

So, how much can you accomplish in a 5 minute session? If you were like me, you’d immediately think “Nothing.” Can you even figure out what the client is talking about in 5 minutes?

Yes. You can.

Today we had 5 5-min “laser” sessions. I like that term “laser session” - it’s fast yet focused and can blow stuff up. That last bit started out as a joke but it’s true! I was the client this time around and my coach “blew up” my situation so I can change my perspective. She helped me see  why I was doing what I was doing and, more importantly, reframe it so I can move through it. Pretty explosive stuff.

While some sessions went better than others, every single one helped move the client forward. I like to think that these 5 minutes can help to open the door. Then, when the phone call has been dropped, it’s up to the client to walk through that very door and see what’s on the other side.

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I’m grateful today for Claritin, even though it’s not working very well.

I’m a grumpypants today, so of course I had a grumpypants class. Not that the class was grumpypants, but I was grumpypants about it. There was only one coaching session in class today, so it was interesting to hear a full hour being used to coach instead of the 20-min bursts we’re used to (which don’t really happen with real clients). However, I had a headache and my mind kept wandering so I don’t have anything very constructive to say. I do think, though, that the client was very frustrated and venting a lot - just talking and talking and talking. And that’s fine (Lord knows that I do it!) but the coach never really steered her back to why she was venting and what she wanted to do about it. I wanted to unmute myself and yell, “Ask her what she wants to do about it! Ask her why she’s bringing it up!” But I didn’t and the session went on without much of a conclusion I think. So I guess I learned that, while letting clients vent is good, you should be able to bring them around as to why they’re upset and what they want to do about it.

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I’m grateful today for my bridesbabes. I’m already getting stressed and they’re talking me down!

Karen Capello subbed for Bill today, and she made me want to free up my days to study with her! Very perky, very energetic, very positive, very insightful.

I got to be the client tonight, and it was nice to stand in those shoes again. It’s tough to really delve into your situation with 15 minutes to start and end (especially with a babbler like me), but Coach Fanny definitely helped me reframe myself more than anything. Instead of being frustrated with the wedding planning when something isn’t taken care of right away and going through each task at lightening speed (blatantly ignoring Due Dates and other handy inventions), I’m the one that needs to step back, see the task that needs to be completed and when, and communicate that to Luke. Instead of “We found a florist - now on to the invitations! Do you like Invite A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, or J?” and have his head spin, I need to say “Babe, we need to order the invites by May 15th so I’d like to start looking at some options with you soon. Can we carve some time out this weekend?” I think that would make us both saner and actually get things done efficiently and with little (OK, not-as-much) stress.

These Life Coach classes are so important because you get to hear so many different styles of coaching, while being coached and getting to coach. I have a feeling I’ll keep dialing in even after I’ve taken the required 12 sessions.

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Today I’m grateful for FreshDirect, and not having to physically go food shopping this week.

Divine Intervention brought me to this class. Or was it The Secret? Or Moses? Either way, I decided to look at the calendar 15 minutes before my Business Building class started, and I saw another option: Communities of Practice (CoP): Life Coach. I knew that I printed the materials a while ago, but I don’t remember really reading it (skimming/glancing/perusing: yes, reading/absorbing: no). I decided to call in.

I announced my Win - my first client starting next week! Bill (the amazing teacher - he’s so energetic and enthusiastic, it’s easy to enjoy the class) asked about my niche and who I’m working with. I said “Um…artists and performers and stuff?” although much more articulately (I think). Another student piped up that she’d like to get my info, as she’s a painter and looking for a Peer Coach. Bill arranged for us to speak after class wrapped up.

However, it turns out that this class is exclusively coaching/being coached/listening.  Someone is the coach, someone is the coachee, and someone else provides feedback. That’s done twice and then the class is over. So, of course, the first coach is…….

…Me!

I can’t take credit because I was cowering in the corner, trying not to breathe or make a sound that can be picked up by my phone mic, when The Painter spoke up and asked if I could coach her for the class. I’m so grateful that she made me (that will be my grateful piece at the end of this post, so don’t be surprised)! I was so, so nervous and figured I’d make a big jerkface of myself in front of the class, and waste  everyone’s time. I think I’m still hung up on the fact that I’ve slacked off on my classes and homework lately. I’ve also stopped hearing Joanne’s voice in my head, and that helped me so much the last time that I did a mock coaching in class. I knew I was on my own.

And, on my own, I was pretty darn awesome if I can be egotistical and obnoxious about it. I really felt so, so good about this session that I’m not so scared to take on my new client next week. Most of my fear and anxiety slipped away. It was just me, and my client, and actively listening. I wasn’t worried about what to say next, or saying the right thing, or being “perfect”.  Don’t get me wrong - I still have so much to learn! But getting this high from coaching is making me feel very at ease that this is what I should be doing now, and my 5 year plan to get out of my job and support myself as a coach might actually, really, truly come to fruition. And that’s so exciting that I’m actually getting teary-eyed right now.

Just so I always remember, and I can come back to it when I’m back to thinking I’m a big stinky jerkface, I’m going to post the feedback that I received today:

* I heard what wasn’t being said very quickly

* I was both nurturing and supportive

* I was good at feeding back what I heard (OK, so maybe Joanne still is in my head!) and having The Painter clarify what was said

*I handled the fact that there were personal issues that I couldn’t get into, which must have been challenging

* I should discuss reframing with the client if there was more time

* I’m more than ready to start coaching 

(Big sigh). I know that ICA stays away from the criticism and focuses on the positive, but that felt really good today. I can’t wait to start with my client next week!

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I’m grateful for being pushed into a scary, wonderful experience. It’s kind of amazing what happens when you just open your mouth and talk about what you’re doing.