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Trusting Your Vision: Questions for Coaches on Avoiding Groupthink and Honouring Intuition

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / groupthink / questions / quote / shakespeare / William Bateson
The image features three identical portraits of William Shakespeare arranged side by side, all facing the viewer. Each portrait depicts Shakespeare with his characteristic balding forehead, pointed beard, and moustache, wearing a 16th-century ruff and doublet. The repeated images suggest multiple instances of the same person, symbolizing a 'committee of Shakespeares'. The quote "I would trust Shakespeare, but I would not trust a committee of Shakespeares." by William Bateson is placed prominently above the images.

The Question Of The Day is:

“I would trust Shakespeare, but I would not trust a committee of Shakespeares.” (William Bateson)

Questions For Coaches:

  • How do you support clients in trusting their own intuition and vision, rather than diluting it through too many external opinions?
  • How do you currently balance the opinions of others with your own instincts in decision-making?
  • How do you differentiate between constructive feedback and input that might compromise your unique vision?

Bonus Questions:

  • How does recognising the value of individual insight help you avoid being influenced by groupthink?
  • What do you see about groupthink?
  • How does focusing on your unique abilities help you stand out rather than conforming to external expectations?

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.

The Power of Laughter and Humour: Questions for Coaches on Self-Compassion and Resilience

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / Ethel Barrymore / humour / questions / quote
The image features a highly expressive emoji character that embodies laughter and joy. This emoji is golden yellow and shows a wide-open mouth, laughing heartily, with its eyes tightly closed in mirth. Tears of joy are streaming from its eyes, and it is slapping its right hand against its forehead in a classic gesture of overwhelming humour. The background is plain white, which makes the vibrant yellow of the emoji stand out even more, emphasizing its joyful expression. Above the emoji, there's a quote in clear, bold text that reads: "You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself." (Ethel Barrymore).

The quote of the day is:

“You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself.” (Ethel Barrymore)

Questions For Coaches:

  • How do you currently handle your mistakes—do you tend to be hard on yourself, or can you laugh them off?
  • What, if anything, does laughing at yourself teach you about acceptance and self-compassion?
  • In what ways do you model light-heartedness and self-compassion in your coaching to inspire your clients?

Bonus Questions:

  • How can not taking yourself seriously lead to more resilience and inner peace?
  • In what ways can a light-hearted approach to failure encourage more innovative ideas?
  • What, if anything, is the connection between self-compassion and humour and resilience?

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.

Embracing Stillness: Unveiling Your Authentic Self by Letting Go of Busyness

 in quote  tagged action / busy / coach / coaches / coaching / Georges Bataille / quote / stillness
The image captures a breathtaking natural scene at sunrise. The foreground shows a lush, grassy cliff edge, which sharply descends into a vast expanse of clouds. These clouds blanket the landscape below like a soft, dense sea of cotton, stretching infinitely towards the horizon. The sky above is a gradient of deep purples at the top, blending into vibrant oranges and yellows near the horizon where the sun emerges. The scene is both majestic and serene, evoking a sense of calm and introspection. This visual is paired with a quote by Georges Bataille that reads: "If I give up the viewpoint of action, my perfect nakedness is revealed to me."

The quote of the day is:

“If I give up the viewpoint of action, my perfect nakedness is revealed to me.” (Georges Bataille)

Georges Bataille (1897–1962) was a French philosopher and writer who delved into themes of mysticism, eroticism, and the depths of human experience. His thought-provoking ideas often challenged conventional norms and invited readers to explore the hidden facets of their inner lives. For me this quote is pointing towards the stillness that is available underneath any busy thinking and need for action.

Always Looking Busy

In one of the very first jobs I had, we were taught to always look busy in case the owner of the business walked in. Even when there was no actual work to be done, the expectation was to appear engaged—always in motion. This wasn’t just about productivity; it was about the perception of hard work.

This mindset isn’t unique to that job. Many of us carry the sense that we should always be doing something, even when there’s no pressing task at hand. Society often equates constant action with value, leading us to fill our time with busyness. But is this relentless pursuit of busyness truly fulfilling, or is it preventing us from connecting with ourselves on a deeper level?

Letting Go of Busyness: Embracing Stillness for Self-Discovery

But what happens if we pause and let go of this constant need for action? If we allow ourselves a moment of stillness, what might we discover?

Two Paths of Discovery

  1. Confronting Discomfort: You might feel uneasy or anxious. The absence of activity can bring underlying fears or doubts to the surface. Thoughts like “Am I wasting time?” or “What if I’m not doing enough?” may arise, accompanied by a sense of restlessness. It may also seem unusual and unfamiliar if you are not used to an absence of busy thinking.
  2. Embracing Openness: Alternatively, you might experience a sense of peace and expansiveness. Without the constant buzz of activity, there’s room for self-awareness and clarity. This stillness can reveal your authentic self—the “perfect nakedness” Bataille refers to—a state of being where you’re connected with your true thoughts and feelings.

Unveiling Your Perfect Nakedness

Letting go of incessant action allows the layers of busyness—both societal and personal expectations—to fall away. While it may feel odd or vulnerable at first, this state allows you to encounter your genuine self without pretence or distraction. You may rediscover forgotten passions, recognize suppressed emotions, or gain clarity on what truly matters to you. This “perfect nakedness” is about emotional and psychological openness, allowing you to connect deeply with your authentic self.

Reflection

Consider taking a moment to step back from the whirlwind of daily tasks. What do you feel when you allow yourself just to be? Does it bring discomfort or relief? By noticing these feelings, you might uncover insights about yourself that constant action has kept hidden.

I’ve found that when I allow myself moments of stillness, I reconnect with parts of myself that get overshadowed by daily demands. It’s in these quiet times that I’ve gained clarity on what’s truly important to me, and had ideas and solutions apparently pop out of nowhere without me needing to try to do anything. It also just feels really lovely.

Embracing moments of stillness can be a transformative experience. While sometimes it may initially seem unfamiliar and odd, it also offers the opportunity for profound self-discovery and growth. I encourage you to take that first step toward unveiling your “perfect nakedness” and see what insights await.

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.

Everyday Creativity: Recognising Your Creative Potential

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / creative / creativity / Frank Baarron / potential / quote
The image features a vibrant light bulb set against a dark, neutral background. The bulb itself is not an ordinary one; it glows with a gradient of vivid colors ranging from pink at the top, transitioning through orange, and into a deep violet at the base, symbolizing creativity and innovation. Surrounding the bulb are white lines and dots that radiate outward, suggesting the emission of light and energy. These rays add a dynamic quality to the image, representing the light bulb as not only a source of light but also a metaphor for ideas and creative sparks. Above this visually striking graphic, there is a quote by Frank Barron: "Creativity is energy being put to work in a constructive fashion."

The quote of the day is:

“Creativity is energy being put to work in a constructive fashion.” (Frank Barron)

Frank Barron (1922–2002) was an American psychologist and professor renowned for his pioneering research on creativity and personality. He dedicated much of his career to understanding the nature of creativity, exploring how it manifests in individuals, and identifying the traits that contribute to creative thinking.

Defining Creativity

When we hear the word “creativity,” many of us immediately think of artists, musicians, writers, or inventors—those who produce works of art, compose symphonies, pen novels, or develop groundbreaking technologies. But is creativity limited to these traditional forms of artistic and intellectual expression?

According to Frank Barron’s perspective in this quote, creativity is simply energy applied constructively. It’s about channelling our thoughts, ideas, and efforts into something that brings about a new or improved outcome. This definition broadens the scope of being creative beyond the arts and sciences, making it accessible to everyone in their daily lives.

Do you consider yourself creative?

Take a moment to reflect: Do you consider yourself a creative person? If your immediate answer is “no,” you’re not alone. Many people believe that creativity is an innate talent reserved for artists, writers, or “creative types.” However, this is a misconception that limits our understanding of our own potential.

What if creativity wasn’t a special activity that you either can or can’t do? What if, instead, creating is simply about bringing something into the world that didn’t exist before? This could be anything—a meal you’ve prepared, a spreadsheet you’ve organized, a solution to a problem at work, or even a thoughtful message you’ve written to a friend.

Everyday Acts of Creativity

Let’s consider some examples of everyday creativity:

  • Cooking a Meal: Combining ingredients in a new way to create a delicious dish.
  • Organizing a Spreadsheet: Structuring data to make information clear and accessible.
  • Writing a Shopping List: Planning meals and considering the needs and preferences of your household.
  • Problem-Solving at Work: Developing a new process to improve efficiency or address a challenge.

None of these activities may seem traditionally “creative,” yet each involves putting energy to work constructively to produce something new or improved.

Notice which activities you might dismiss as “not really creative” and which you value more highly. Society often places greater value on certain types of creative expression, but that doesn’t diminish the creativity inherent in other activities.

  • Why do we devalue some forms of creativity?
  • Are we overlooking our own creative contributions because they don’t fit a traditional mould?

Embracing Your Creative Potential

What if it’s not that you’re not creative, but rather that you’ve innocently been valuing certain types of creations above others? By expanding our definition of creativity, we can begin to recognise and appreciate the multitude of ways we contribute creatively every day.

Benefits of Recognising Your Creativity:

  • Increased Confidence: Acknowledging your creativity can boost your self-esteem and encourage you to take on new challenges.
  • Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Seeing yourself as creative opens your mind to innovative solutions.
  • Greater Fulfilment: Valuing your contributions adds meaning to your daily activities.

Conclusion

Creativity is not confined to grand artistic gestures or groundbreaking inventions. It’s an energy that each of us harnesses whenever we engage in constructive action. By redefining creativity and recognising it in our everyday lives, we unlock a powerful aspect of our potential.

I invite you to reflect on your daily activities and notice the creative energy you bring to them. Celebrate these moments of creation, no matter how small they may seem. Remember, every time you put energy to work constructively, you’re engaging in the beautiful act of creativity.

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.

Finding ‘Home’ in the Journey: Reflective Questions for Coaches

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / destination / Matsuo Bashō / process / questions / quote
The image features a minimalist and symbolic representation with a series of blank directional signs, often seen at crossroads or decision points, mounted on a single pole. These signs are white and appear as blank slates, pointing in different directions against a soft pink background that gives the composition a calm and gentle ambiance. The simplicity of the design focuses attention on the concept of choices and directions in life. Above this serene setup, there's a quote by Matsuo Bashō: "Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home."

The quote of the day is:

“Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.” (Matsuo Bashō)

Questions For Coaches:

  • How do you guide clients to find a sense of ‘home’ or peace in their everyday lives, even amidst change?
  • How can focusing upon the process rather than the outcome lead to greater creativity and productivity at work?
  • What does ‘home’ mean to you, and how can you find that sense of belonging in your daily life?

Bonus Questions:

  • How does seeing life as a continuous journey shift your focus from destination to the present process?
  • What insights emerge when you embrace the idea that you are already ‘home’ in the process of living, rather than needing to reach a specific goal?
  • Does viewing each stage of your business or career as part of a larger journey alter how you feel about making intentional decisions?
  • In what ways do you support clients in recognizing that they are already ‘home’ on their journey to self-fulfilment?

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.

Questions About Creating from Nothing: Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / creativity / Earnest Barnes / Einstein / flow / nothing / quote
The image is a visually complex and dynamic depiction of mathematical and scientific equations and symbols floating against a dark, digitized background that suggests a deep, cosmic or virtual space. It features a chaotic arrangement of various mathematical expressions, diagrams, and notations that glow in a neon green colour, giving the impression of intense cerebral activity or theoretical calculations. Prominent among these symbols is Einstein's famous equation, E=mc², highlighted and slightly larger than the surrounding equations. Above this intricate array of scientific data, there is a quote by Ernest Barnes: "The astonishing thing about Einstein's equations is that they appear to have come out of nothing."

The quote of the day is:

“The astonishing thing about Einstein’s equations is that they appear to have come out of nothing.” (Ernest Barnes)

Questions For Coaches:

  • Where does it seem that ideas come from?
  • How do you help clients understand that innovative solutions often arise unexpectedly, even when they feel stuck?
  • How do you approach challenges when you feel you have no clear path forward?
  • In what ways do you model creativity and innovation in your coaching practice to inspire your clients?

Bonus Questions:

  • Have you had the experience of some of the powerful insights emerging when you stopped trying to force solutions? If so, what did you make of that?
  • What happens when you let go of overthinking and allow ideas to come naturally from a calm, centred mind?
  • How does letting go of the need to constantly ‘do’ help you create the mental openness for inspiration to strike?
  • How can letting go of the pressure to constantly produce results lead to more meaningful breakthroughs in your career?

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.

Clarifying Your Inner Vision: Questions for Coaches

 in quote  tagged Carl Jung / coach / coaches / coaching / heart / questions / quote / vision
The image features a simple yet powerful depiction of a pair of round, black-rimmed glasses, centered against a plain white background. The glasses, iconic and timeless in style, are sharp and prominent, with clear lenses that allow for a straightforward view through them. This minimalist presentation emphasizes the glasses themselves without any distractions, focusing on the clarity and potential they symbolize for vision and perception. Above the glasses, there is a profound quote by Carl Jung: "Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes."

The Quote Of The Day is:

“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” (Carl Jung)

Questions For Coaches:

  • In what ways do you guide clients in understanding that true clarity and purpose come from within?
  • How do you currently balance external goals with internal reflection and self-understanding?
  • How does tuning into your internal vision help you stay aligned with your long-term professional aspirations?

Bonus Questions:

  • How does understanding that clarity comes from within help you trust your own insights over external influences?
  • In what areas of your life are you seeking answers externally, and how can you shift your focus inward?
  • How does looking inward help you identify your true desires and create a life aligned with your heart’s vision?
  • How can connecting with your inner vision help you create a clearer and more authentic business strategy?

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.

Your Inner Qualities: Coaching Questions on True Inner Power

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / questions / quote
The image prominently features a luxurious and ornate armchair, crafted from rich brown leather with a deep tufted design on the backrest. The chair's arms and legs are adorned with intricate carvings, enhancing its regal and antique appearance. The leather itself is a vibrant, polished chestnut colour, indicating well-maintained quality and a stately presence. The chair sits against a plain, light-coloured background that accentuates its detailed craftsmanship and stately design. Above the chair, there is a Sudanese proverb: "A large chair does not make a king."

The quote of the day is:

“A large chair does not make a king.” (Sudanese Proverb)

Questions For Coaches

  • If it didn’t matter what it looked like, what action would you take?
  • In what ways do you support clients in recognising that true power comes from within, not from their position or resources?
  • In what areas of your life are you focusing more on appearances than on substance, and how can you shift your focus?
  • How can you inspire and lead others by example rather than by rank or position?

Bonus Questions

  • In what ways does realising that status doesn’t define worth help you focus on your inner qualities?
  • What insights arise when you stop seeking validation from external titles and focus on your inner wisdom?
  • How do you measure your self-worth—by external achievements or by inner qualities?
  • How would you know you had a stronger sense of self, independent of titles or external recognition?

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.