So what’s the big deal with Coaching?
It happens often. You know, that dreaded question - ‘so, what do you do for a living?’ - I then have a snap decision to make in that moment - are they going to know what I mean if I say ‘I’m a Coach’? Do I try and explain it in practical terms? Invariably, if I do go down that route, the immediate response is ‘what, like a sports coach?’….’no, a Coach’ *cue perplexed look and stunned silence. So I start to explain…..and the usual interjections begin ‘oh, like a therapist?’ No. ‘oh, like a mentor?’ No. ‘ah so you tell people how to solve their problems’. Erm, No.
So I’m here to clear a few things up for you. Unlike working with a therapist, which invariably will focus on issues in your past, a Coach will help you now. A Coach will move you forwards, towards a goal. A Mentor is someone who has been in your position and has some practical tips to assist you. A Coach will not advise. A Coach understands that only you know the solution to your issue. If you are looking for advice then Coaching is probably not the tool for you, a Mentor or Consultant may be in a better position to help. But if you need a supportive guide, someone who is trained to listen in a specific way, someone who will help you find the answer to move you forwards towards your goals, then Coaching could be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
One of the most important points to note is that Coaching is most effective when you come into it with an open mind and have built a good level of rapport with your Coach - the strength of relationship and chemistry between you and your Coach will have a direct impact on what you get out of Coaching. A solid Coaching relationship will be built on mutual trust, respect and honesty. Most Coaches will offer an initial introductory session for free in order to establish whether you will be a good ‘fit’ to work together.
Now, I’m not going to lie, Coaching can be pretty magical. Coaching is a way to give you the space you need to work through whatever challenges you are facing. A Coach will guide you, and take you on a bespoke journey to finding the answers, which already lie within you - you just don’t know how to reach them yet. You might be struggling with a challenge at work, or a relationship issue, or you’re simply stuck at a significant point in your life. Your thoughts are likely to be so entangled that you are feeling overwhelmed by the problem. A Coach will help you work through your challenge and leave you with a clear path forwards to a resolution. A Coach will gently reflect on your words and your physiological cues, and hold up a mirror so that you truly face your issues head on. A Coach will hold you to account and help you work out how you can achieve your goals.
What do you get from working with me, as your Coach? Well, in terms of my style, I’m a mum to young twins so I’m a firm believer that time is precious and, as a result, I’m big on efficiency and like to focus getting to the right solution fast - in other words, I’m pretty direct. However, I will never judge you. I’ll be compassionate in my reflections and will support and champion you as you move yourself forwards on your journey. I’m truly passionate about unleashing potential and equally excited by the opportunities that exist when we start to look at things in a different way. I’m a Certified Coach and trained NLP (with Neuroscience) Practitioner, which means that I listen to what you say on several levels - and this is where the magic happens!
So when you’re ready to quit the struggle, to stop agonising with your decisions and to gain a better understanding of yourself, then you’re ready to begin your journey to clarity. Reach out to me via the Contact Us page and we can have a short intro meeting to ensure we are a good fit to work together! I look forward to hearing from you :-)