past


Owning Your Past: Insights and Questions for Coaches

It is not that I belong to the past but that the past belongs to me. Mary Antin600 x 400

The quote of the day is:

“It is not that I belong to the past, but that the past belongs to me.” (Mary Antin)

Questions For Coaches:

  • What connections do you see between this quote and coaching?
  • How do you help clients understand and integrate their past experiences into their present lives?
  • How do you view your past in terms of its impact on your present decisions and actions?
  • Do you use past successes to motivate and guide your future professional goals?

Bonus Questions

  • If your past is a collection of thoughts, what difference does that make for you in the present moment?
  • What past experiences have shaped your core values and beliefs today?
  • How do you integrate the knowledge and skills from past roles into your current coaching business?

About Jen Waller

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.


Celebrating Being Present

A dreamlike image. A lone individual in shadow is stood on a beach at the edge of the sea. They are looking out across the ocean as the waves lap against the sand, leaving ripple effects in their wake. The sun is setting in the background, giving lots of orange and red shades to this image.
The text reads: "I don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present." (W. Somerset Maugham)

Happy Sunday! Today’s quote is:

“I don’t think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present.” (W. Somerset Maugham)

Take a moment to immerse yourself in a thought experiment. Imagine awakening with the sudden inability to recall the past or envision the future. All that exists is the vibrant tapestry of the present moment, unfurling before you like a blank canvas. What would that experience be like for you?

For me, this hypothetical scenario evokes an immediate sense of connection and presence. It’s as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, allowing me to fully engage with the here and now. There’s a palpable calmness and stillness that permeates my being, enabling me to channel my undivided attention towards whatever unfolds in front of me. How does it resonate with you?

Too often, we find ourselves caught in the web of thought, endlessly ruminating on the past or projecting into the future. We expend precious energy yearning for things to be different from how they are, resisting the inherent beauty and richness of the present moment. Memories from the past may hold us captive, entangling us in intricate narratives of judgment and regret.

But what if we could release ourselves from this mental entrapment? What if we could relinquish the need to dwell on what has been or what might be, and instead embrace the boundless potential of the everlasting present? In doing so, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities, where each moment is an invitation to savour, cherish, and celebrate.

It’s important to note that embracing the present moment doesn’t imply disregarding the skills and valuable lessons we’ve acquired for the future. Rather, it means recognizing that our habits of thinking can be dropped at any moment. Even if we momentarily forget this ability, we can always remember it again. So, instead of dwelling on self-criticism for forgetting, we can gently bring ourselves back to the present and bypass judgmental thoughts altogether.

By cultivating an awareness of the everlasting present, we unlock the door to boundless joy, creativity, and inner peace. So, as you go about your day, I invite you to pause, breathe, and immerse yourself fully in the richness of each moment. For it is here, in the tapestry of the present, that we discover the profound beauty of being alive. Let’s cultivate a deeper awareness of the present moment, allowing it to unfold with grace and intention. For in the richness of the here and now, we discover the true essence of life itself.

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.