It’s been two weeks since I’ve written. I’m still going through a phase where I’m struggling to find balance and spend my time in an optimal way – the quest for boundaries continues. However it’s fine, I’m here, I’m well and many positive things have happened. One of which is that I’ve found a Coach. The funniest thing about this statement is that I wasn’t looking for a Coach. Let’s start by establishing what exactly I’m talking about.

What is a Coach?

Ok, I’ve done the heavy lifting for you and typed ‘What is Coaching?’ into Google. The top hit takes you to this site here. I think it explains it pretty well.

“Put simply, coaching is a process that aims to improve performance and focuses on the ‘here and now’ rather than on the distant past or future.”
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/coaching.html

I think a distinct characteristic of coaching – one I’ve struggled with the most – is that a Coach won’t tell you the answer. However, they’ll work with you to uncover routes to solving a problem, prioritise, encourage you to actually make a decision, set goals – and make these goals achievable. All of this sounds like something you could do on your own and perhaps some people successfully do. However, with everything I have going on, I often don’t get the luxury of this sort of headspace.

My latest experience isn’t my maiden voyage into the world of Coaching. I’ve had some Coaching through work before. Though challenging to begin with, it was an overall positive experience. This being said, I didn’t feel like it’s something I needed on an ongoing basis.

What’s changed? Why now?

I messaged a guy I know and respect for some advice about Mummy’s Muse. At the time, I didn’t even know he was a qualified coach. He asked me, ‘Have you considered coaching?’ Before I had a chance to groan, ask if he could give me the answer anyway and generally make my excuses he offered me a complimentary session. My favourite price happens to be free so I said, ‘Sure, let’s give it a go.’

The difference between this coaching experience and my past experiences is that this one didn’t originate from my day job. This meant I felt like I could talk about the whole of me – my business, my career and my personal life. I realised that while I talk to friends and family here and there about what’s happening and what’s on my mind, it felt very good to download to someone qualified, over the course of an hour and think about answers to some tough questions. My coach asked me to do some prioritisation work and really think about what’s important to me across all the different worlds that I inhabit.

I wrote this post a while ago about having to be an expert plate spinner. The challenge with living your life this way is that sometimes you just go and go and go. You’re firing off all cylinders but in this busy-ness you can fail to be strategic and really focus your energy in the right places. I feel like coaching is helping me to align where I should be focusing my energy with what’s most important to me.

Athletes have Coaches for a reason

I’ve decided to continue seeing my Coach. I’ve had two sessions now and after each one I’ve come out with a sense of clarity. Also after each session, I’ve made a bold move, inspired by my session – here’s to more of these! Top performing athletes not only have coaches, but have a close relationship with their coach. To be a high performing individual you need to know and understand your strengths and weaknesses. You need to know what to train. You also probably need to be observed by someone, outside of yourself, to ensure you’re staying focused. I wonder if I’ll do this forever or just for a season? Only time will tell. For now it’s something that’s helping me gain a sense of control and make break throughs in different areas of my life. I also think it’s been very positive for my mental health.

At the end of both sessions I’ve had, my Coach has told me how great of a job I’m doing keeping everything moving in so many areas of my life. I must admit, this makes me feel good. As he is someone I respect, it’s much needed encouragement to keep going.

Image credit: wsj.com