nature

Embracing Purposeful Coaching: A New Perspective

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / Joseph Addison / nature / purpose / quote
A river flows through the centre of the image. In the background are green pine trees, apparently going all the way up the river valley's slopes. Immediatly on the banks of teh river are small bush type vergitation in autumnal shades. The text reads: "Nature does nothing without purpose or uselessly." (Joseph Addison)

Today’s quote is:

“Nature does nothing without purpose or uselessly.” (Joseph Addison)

I’ve noticed a perception among some new coaches that everything in coaching must be meticulously planned in advance. However, that’s not my approach. For me, coaching is a conversation, and I can’t predict the other half of the dialogue before my client even speaks. While I may make educated guesses based on past interactions, it doesn’t guarantee the same outcome. Change can happen in any moment; new insights, ideas, and perspectives can emerge outside of our coaching sessions. What seemed true to a client in one session may not hold the same weight in the next.

So, how does this relate to today’s quote? I believe it challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of seemingly insignificant actions or situations within our coaching practice. Rather than dismissing them as purposeless, what if we consider that they make sense given the individual’s perspective?

What if all it takes is one fresh thought to gain a new perspective? This realisation alleviates the pressure of having to figure everything out. It’s reassuring to know that while action may be necessary, a single moment of inspiration feels much lighter.

Acknowledging the infinite possibilities around us enables us to tap into the full potential of coaching. Instead of being confined by preconceived notions, we remain open to new ideas and perspectives, essential for growth and adaptation in our field.

The quote also touches on purpose. Some clients may feel a sense of emptiness, unsure of their purpose, while others believe they have a clear direction. I invite a different perspective: What if by being your authentic self, your purpose becomes evident? What if you can bypass the stage of trying to figure it all out in advance?

These are just some of my reflections inspired by this quote. What are your thoughts on coaching related to this? Feel free to share your comments below.

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.

Swallows 1

 in Guest Post  tagged 3 P / coach / coaching / Liz Scott / nature / spiritual / three principles

In today’s guest post coach Liz Scott reflects upon how she’s found a new meaning to what it is to be a coach.

Swallows

by Liz Scott

"swallows" by Liz Scott

The swallow chicks have gone. For the past week I had been talking to them as passed through the garage. They had looked quizzically at me from the nest on the rafters, with their dark intelligent eyes. I’ll miss them.

Their parents left on their migration a week ago leaving the 3 chicks behind. Since then the youngsters have been out hunting all day and building up their strength and reserves for the long journey ahead. A few days ago they left and I felt a twinge of sadness.

They’ve been part of our lives ever since we found the speckled eggshells on the garage floor. We’ve watched them grow, seen their industrious parents feed them constantly and we witnessed their first flight around the garage as they learned to use their wings.

It has been a huge blessing to observe these beautiful creatures taking their part and place in the world. There was no drama or crisis as each bird just effortlessly moved from egg to chick to fledgling.

The natural world seems to get on with life without any fuss; endless skies, changing seasons, migrating birds, ripening fruit, hibernating animals… and so the list goes on.

I can’t imagine nature has a to-do list that she keeps ticking off. There is a grace and humility to her work of constant regeneration. Nature is not a ‘thing’ or a ‘doing’ Nature is an energy that gently breathes beginnings on her ‘in’ breath and ends on her ‘out’ breath. An end is a beginning and a beginning is an end. There is a constant regeneration of life and death.

As a coach I have noticed within me a gentle spiritual awakening that has made some of the stuff I once found fascinating (money, clients, marketing, business) seem rather hollow. The things that once seduced me no longer hold the same fascination. I find I am more interested in wonder of the world (like the swallows). My focus now rests on witnessing the limitless flow of humanity and spirituality that dance through life. There is a simplicity and intense beauty that dwells within us.

Once I wanted to change the world. I thought coaching could make the world a better place. Now I realise my real purpose is to touch the spiritual depth inside me. When I do this then clients are able to touch their own wisdom and internal depth of peace within.

It seems that many coaches are in the transition of a spiritual awakening. Are you one of them? I am keen to come together with coaches who are finding new meaning to what it is to be a coach. If you find you are fascinated and absorbed by the steady beauty of nature, or if you are experiencing a spiritual transition then get in touch. I’d love to hear your story and discover how it is showing up in your coaching.

About Liz Scott

Liz Scott (www.lizscottcoaching.com) is a leadership coach working in schools and businesses. Her coaching (and life) is being transformed by the development of her understanding of the Three Principles. If you’d like to learn more then you can download an introduction to The Three Principles http://coachingconnectplus.com/3ps/

Liz is hosting a Three Principles event this November. For a full list of speakers and more details visit the Coaching Connect 3P event site