Have you ever wondered why sometimes everything just goes smoothly, you just navigate past any obstacles, or maybe you don’t even pay attention to them. You’re focused on your goal, and you just effortlessly progress towards it.
I was walking my daughter to school the other day while she rode her bicycle, something she only recently mastered. As we went along, we’d come up behind other people, and she’d slow down, balancing nicely as she waited for a chance to get past. I praised her for how well she was riding, balancing expertly at very slow speed, fully in control.
While I was suitably impressed, given her relative inexperience, it was at that point that the spell was broken. She suddenly started to focus on the people and other “obstacles” and started telling herself how scary it was and that she didn’t want to bump anyone. Where before she’d just been riding and navigating past anything she came across, now all of a sudden she saw all these obstacles.
This experience reminded me (again) that as humans we perform best when we have a clear mind, when we aren’t focusing on all the hazards but just trusting that we’ll know what to do and how to do it when we need to.
We should all strive to operate with a clear mind and catch ourselves when we aren’t, so that we can fall back into our natural state and effortlessly achieve our best results.
I was talking to my coach a couple of days ago as we prepared to record an interview. When he asked if I was ready to get to it I responded that I had meant to review our previous discussion in preparation for this but had only glanced through it very quickly. As we talked this through we explored whether the fact that I had only skimmed it was perhaps a good thing.
It reminded me of my wedding speech. I had prepared my speech for the big day and typed it out, highlighting a few of the key points / phrases that I wanted to include. I practiced reading it several times in the mirror or with other close people, and each time I couldn’t get through it without my emotions getting the better of me and having to stop to collect myself. I started to worry that I would be a blubbering wreck on the day and my speech would be ruined. Then something clicked, I decided that I didn’t need to keep practicing the speech and I would just get up there, glance at my notes, and let it flow.
If I really think about it there have been many times in my life where I have got to a point of deciding to just let things happen. In every case it has worked out completely fine and all the fears and hesitations that I’d had beforehand didn’t even show up. It doesn’t always come easily to me, this ability to just let things play out – I often have to concsciously decide to, but whenever I do it seems to work.
In the end I decided that we should just crack on with the interview and see where it went. I actually enjoyed the process and it felt very freeing to be able to just talk without worrying about whether I was on script or not. I can’t wait to see the outcome.
So, how did the weddnig speech go? Well, while I did feel the emotions rise as I got to the parts that had me going when I was practicing, I managed to take a breath and carry on. It felt great and I think it landed, at least a few people told me it came across as really heart-felt and had them getting emotional about it. I take that as success.
If you find yourself getting stuck, take a few deep breaths, remind yourself of what you are doing and why, and then go with the flow. It works for me and I am sure it will work for you. If you want to get in touch to find out if working with me is for you, please get in touch.
Feeling stuck? So much going on and finding it tough to work out where to start?
So was I recently. I had a session booked in with my coach, and the day ran away with me, a number of urgent tasks cropped up, and then suddenly it was time for our session. What was going to be the best use of our time? With everything on my plate that day, I was feeling overwhelmed and could work out where to begin.
At the start of our session, we discussed this for a while and my coach asked me to think about where my insight friendly space is. Where is it that I find my inspiration? What activities lend themselves to me having a breakthrough? These are clues as to where that space is.
Thinking back to times when I have suddenly seen everything clearly, when the clouds of confusion have parted, I realised that there are several pass times and activities that when I’m immersed in them I often get hit with a clear view forward.
Things like running, going for a brisk walk, taking a shower, or even doing the household chores. These are where my mind clears and a space opens up for inspiration to land. Thinking about this it seemed so obvious all of a sudden. It had not occurred to me to actively seek out such activities with the purpose of putting myself into a space for having those insights, it kind of just happened from time to time.
We decided to experiment, and my coach suggested that we end the session early and I go for a run to see what happens. So that’s what I did. I found after a few minutes I was in a much clearer headspace and clarity returned, and I no longer felt befuddled.
I now plan to seek out those insight friendly spaces more deliberately and I’m excited to see what happens.
Why don’t you try it the next time you’re feeling stuck. If you’d like to explore this further or want to know more about coaching and what it could do for, please reach out to me.
If you are anything like me, you will have felt stuck at times. You have set some goals, but you can’t figure out where to start, or you feel like you have not made the progress you wanted, but you still feel like you have been busy, have you been focusing on the wrong things, what if they’re the right things all along? It can seem like a conundrum that has no solution…
I recently found myself in this situation and got talking about it with my coach. I had set myself a goal that, for some reason, I wasn’t progressing with. I felt like I was stuck and couldn’t work out why I was not making the progress I wanted in that area.
When pressed as to whether I felt it was fair to be chastising myself for not making progress, we started to explore deeper. It turns out that whilst I had been busy focusing on other aspects of my life and then beating myself up because I was neglecting what I felt should be my priority, what had in fact been at play was my inner wisdom pulling me towards something very close to my heart.
As we talked, I had a realisation that both can co-exist and that sometimes we need to stop and listen to hear what our inner wisdom is telling us. If we spend all our time in our heads and don’t listen to that little voice, we may be missing out on something else truly fulfilling.
I suddenly felt a lot lighter and had a renewed energy to press forward with both goals as I could see that there is space for both and that by listening to my heart, I would know what the next steps would be.
This is just one way in which coaching can help us to live the life we are meant to live. If you’d like to hear more about what coaching could do for, get in touch for a free introductory conversation.
In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance, achieving goals, and reaching our full potential can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. It’s easy to become overwhelmed, uncertain, or stuck in our own limiting beliefs. This is where coaching steps in as a powerful tool to help individuals unlock their true potential, overcome obstacles, and create meaningful change. In this blog post, we’ll explore the transformative power of coaching and how it can empower you to thrive in all aspects of your life.
Understanding Coaching
Coaching is a collaborative partnership between a trained professional, known as a coach, and an individual seeking growth and development. It is a future-oriented process that focuses on self-discovery, goal-setting, and taking action to achieve desired outcomes. Unlike therapy or consulting, coaching doesn’t dwell on past issues or provide direct advice; instead, it cultivates self-awareness, accountability, and personal responsibility.
Key Benefits of Coaching
1. Clarity and Self-Discovery
Coaching provides a safe and supportive environment for deep self-reflection. By asking thought-provoking questions, coaches help individuals gain clarity about their values, passions, and purpose. Through this process, you can identify your strengths, explore your beliefs and assumptions, and uncover the patterns that may be holding you back. This self-discovery journey lays the foundation for personal growth and empowers you to make choices aligned with your authentic self.
2. Goal Setting and Action Planning
Coaching helps you define your aspirations and set meaningful, achievable goals. A coach guides you through a structured process of breaking down your larger objectives into actionable steps. They support you in creating a roadmap, setting realistic timelines, and providing the necessary tools and resources. With clear goals and an actionable plan, you gain a sense of direction and momentum towards success.
3. Accountability and Motivation
One of the most valuable aspects of coaching is the built-in accountability system. A coach helps you stay on track by regularly reviewing progress, identifying challenges, and celebrating achievements. They provide unwavering support, encouragement, and motivation during times when self-doubt or setbacks may arise. This accountability partnership keeps you focused, committed, and motivated to take consistent action towards your goals.
4. Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
Coaching challenges and reframes limiting beliefs that hold you back from reaching your full potential. These beliefs often stem from fear, self-doubt, or past experiences. A coach helps you identify and reframe these limiting beliefs, replacing them with empowering thoughts and beliefs that support your growth. By shifting your mindset, you open up new possibilities, expand your comfort zone, and overcome self-imposed limitations.
5. Enhancing Performance and Success
Coaching is not only for personal development but also for professional growth. Whether you’re aiming for career advancement, starting a business, or improving leadership skills, coaching can help you enhance your performance and achieve success. A coach provides guidance on skill development, effective communication, and strategies for navigating challenges in the workplace. They help you leverage your strengths, build confidence, and develop a growth mindset essential for long-term success.
Conclusion
Coaching is a transformative journey that empowers individuals to unleash their potential, overcome challenges, and create the life they desire. By partnering with a skilled coach, you embark on a personal and professional growth experience that fosters self-discovery, goal achievement, and meaningful change. Whether you’re seeking clarity, aiming to improve performance, or wanting to break through barriers, coaching can provide the guidance, support, and accountability necessary for your success. Embrace the power of coaching and unlock your true potential today.
Patrick Hickman 