“If forty million people say a foolish thing it does not become a wise one, but the wise man is foolish to give them the lie.” (W. Somerset Maugham)
Questions For Coaches:
How can clients discern wisdom from widely accepted beliefs/trends?
How has trusting your own perspective over popular opinion shaped your decisions?
How do you balance your own wisdom with feedback from clients/peers?
How do you create a safe space for clients to explore & challenge societal beliefs?
Bonus Questions:
What role does wisdom play in deciding when to challenge societal norms or when to let them pass?
In what areas of your life do you find yourself conforming to popular opinion without questioning it?
What strategies help you make decisions that are in line with your business vision, despite popular opinion?
How do you ensure that your coaching approach is based on personal insight rather than just prevailing trends?
About Jen Waller
Jen Waller is a transformative coach dedicated to empowering individuals to get out of their own way and make a meaningful impact in the world. With an impactful, nurturing coaching style, Jen supports clients in unlocking their potential and achieving their goals. As an experienced coach and trainer, she guides clients from self-doubt to success.
Discover how Jen can support you to get out of your own way here.
“The soul begins to travel when the child begins to think.” (Agnes Repplier)
Questions For Coaches:
How do you encourage clients to reconnect with their childlike curiosity in their personal growth journey?
When was the last time you felt a deep sense of wonder or awe, and what did it teach you?
In what ways does nurturing curiosity in clients help you grow as a coach?
How do you help clients balance logical thinking with intuitive, soulful exploration?
Bonus Questions:
What role does innate wisdom play in your coaching conversations about self-discovery
How can encouraging clients to embrace a beginner’s mindset transform their outlook on life?
In what ways can cultivating a fresh perspective enhance strategic decision-making?
How can coaches create space for clients to explore the origins of their beliefs and values?
About Jen Waller
Jen Waller is a transformative coach dedicated to empowering individuals to get out of their own way and make a meaningful impact in the world. With an impactful, nurturing coaching style, Jen supports clients in unlocking their potential and achieving their goals. As an experienced coach and trainer, she guides clients from self-doubt to success.
Discover how Jen can support you to get out of your own way here.
For those who didn’t grow up in the UK, a little context: Blue Peter is a long-running British kids’ TV show (it’s been on air since the 1960s!) that awards badges as recognition for achievements or winning competitions.
When I was a kid, I didn’t personally know anyone who had one of these badges, but I was fascinated by the idea that badge winners could get into attractions across the country for free. I’m not sure if it’s still a big deal for kids today, but for those of us who grew up in the ’70s and ’80s, it definitely was!
What’s funny to me now is realising that the badge itself didn’t hold any magical powers—it was really what we thought it represented that made it feel so special. It’s a great reminder of how much meaning comes from our thinking about something and that perception, rather than the thing itself.
“All Temptations Are Founded Either in Hope or Fear” (Thomas Fuller)
Thomas Fuller (1608–1661) was an English historian and clergyman known for his wit and wisdom. His writings often reflect deep insights into human nature, making this quote particularly relevant for coaching conversations.
Temptation is a compelling force, often urging action before we’ve had time to reflect. Thomas Fuller’s observation highlights how hope and fear shape our decisions. As coaches, we frequently encounter clients caught between these forces—unsure whether their next move is a genuine step forward or a reaction driven by fear. How can we help them distinguish between an intuitive nudge and a fear-fuelled temptation?
Recognizing the Voice of Intuition
Intuition often feels like a calm, quiet sense of knowing. It doesn’t demand action, but gently encourages it. In contrast, fear-driven temptation tends to feel urgent and overwhelming, pushing clients toward decisions misaligned with their deeper values. Coaches can help clients pause and explore their inner dialogue.
Key Questions to Ask:
How does this decision feel in your body? Calm or tense?
If fear wasn’t a factor, would you still choose this path?
What would happen if you waited a little longer before acting?
These questions help clients differentiate between impulsive reactions and thoughtful, intuitive responses.
The Role of Hope
Hope is a powerful motivator but can sometimes be mistaken for wishful thinking. When driven by hope, clients often feel expansive and motivated. Yet hope can also lead to temptations that aim to escape discomfort rather than pursue meaningful growth.
Exploring Hope with Clients:
What future are you envisioning? Does it align with who you’re becoming?
Are you pursuing this path because it excites you or feels like the only option?
How does this hope connect to what you would love?
When grounded in purpose, hope can inspire courageous action. When fuelled by avoiding pain, it may divert clients from what truly matters.
The Fear Trap
Fear often disguises itself as practicality or necessity, insisting that clients “must” act now to avoid loss. Recognising this pattern is crucial for breaking free from fear-driven decisions.
Strategies to Uncover Fear:
Encourage clients to name their fears. What’s the worst that could happen?
Consider the long-term impact. Will this choice still matter in a year?
Explore alternative perspectives. Could fear be clouding judgment?
When clients acknowledge their fearful thinking, they often find clarity and courage on the other side.
Intuition as a Guide
A common outcome I see in coaching is clients learning to recognise and trust their inner wisdom. Intuition is a gift available to all of us. By distinguishing between hope, fear, and intuition, clients make choices with greater confidence and authenticity.
Final Reflection
Temptation often disguises itself as urgency, practicality, or even hope, making it difficult to discern from genuine intuition. Helping clients navigate this distinction can be transformative. By guiding them to pause, reflect, and listen to their inner wisdom, we empower them to make choices rooted in clarity and authenticity.
How do you guide clients to distinguish between intuitive nudges and fear-driven temptations? Is this distinction relevant in your coaching practice? I believe this question can spark rich conversations, helping clients tune into their deeper knowing, you guide them beyond the pull of hope or fear and toward their true path.
About Jen Waller
Jen Waller is a transformative coach dedicated to empowering individuals to get out of their own way and make a meaningful impact in the world.
If this post has intrigued you or sparked questions about distinguishing between fear, hope, and intuition in your decisions, Jen offers a supportive space to explore these insights further. Connect with her to discover how transformative coaching can guide you toward clarity, confidence, and empowered choices
Discover how Jen can support you to get out of your own way here.
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