success

Questions for coaches prompted by a quote about success and comfort

 in quote  tagged coaches / coaching / comfort / questions / quote / success / William Allingham
On a chalkboard, an image at the bottom is of a bit of land which dips down in the middle before a raised piece of land on the right of the picture. To the left is the label comfort and to the right, above the raised area, is the word success. An outline of a human figure is drawn leaping across the dip to Success. The text above reads: "I believe in Success, and in Comfort no less I believe all the rest is but patter." (William Allingham)

The quote is:

“I believe in Success, and in Comfort no less I believe all the rest is but patter.” (William Allingham)

Questions For Coaches

  • How do you define success and comfort in your own life?
  • Are these separate terms where it feels a balance should be sought, or can you have both at the same time?
  • What would success and comfort look like when it comes t your coaching practice?
  • How would many of your clients describe that as?

Bonus Questions

  • As a coach, how do you help clients define and pursue their own visions of success and comfort?
  • Can you share an example of a project where comfort and success were equally important?
  • How can recognising the “patter” in your life help you focus on what truly matters?

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.

Defining Success: Navigating Your Coaching Journey

 in quote  tagged Christopher Morley / coach / coaches / coaching / quote / success
This image has what looks like a picture frame drawn and coloured in with a wax orangy/brown crayon. Within the frame is what looks like a cream paper with the text: "There is only one success ... to be able to spend your life in your own way." (Christopher Morley)

Today’s quote is:

“There is only one success … to be able to spend your life in your way.” (Christopher Morley)

This quote prompts us to ponder what true success means to us and how we can achieve it while staying true to ourselves. As coaches, we play a pivotal role in guiding others on their journey to success, but I think it’s equally important for us to reflect on our own definitions of success and how they shape our coaching practice.

Defining Success:

Success means different things to different people. As coaches, it’s crucial to define what success looks like for us personally and professionally. Do we measure success by achieving specific goals, making a positive impact on our clients, or finding fulfillment in our work? Our definition of success influences the strategies we employ in our coaching practice and the goals we set for ourselves.

Personal Version of Success:

Reflecting on our personal version of success allows us to align our actions with our values and aspirations. Is success for us about financial prosperity, personal growth, or making a difference in the lives of others? By understanding what success means to us individually, we can chart a course that leads to fulfillment and satisfaction in our coaching journey.

Living Life on Our Own Terms:

Imagining a life where we can spend our time exactly as we wish prompts us to consider what changes we would make to our coaching business. Would we focus more on serving our clients in innovative ways, expanding our offerings, or prioritizing work-life balance? This exercise encourages us to envision our ideal scenario and take steps to bring it closer to reality.

Reimagining Daily Routine:

In our ideal scenario, how would our daily routine change? Would we allocate more time to client sessions, professional development, or self-care activities? If this isn’t something you have imagined from this perspective before this could give you new insight about how you’d love to be spending your time.

Identifying Priorities:

Understanding our priorities reveals what truly matters to us and guides our decision-making process. Would we prioritise building relationships with clients, refining our coaching skills, or pursuing personal interests outside of work? Clarifying our priorities empowers us to make intentional choices that align with our values and goals.

As coaches, let’s take a moment to reflect on these questions and share our insights in the comments below. By exploring our definitions of success and envisioning our ideal coaching journey, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and create a roadmap for achieving success on our own terms. Remember, success is not just about reaching a destination but about enjoying the journey along the way.

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.

If you are at the start of your coaching journey Jen does offer complimentary From Non-Coach to Coach Discovery sessions that will help refine your answers in more detail – plus look at next steps for you. Find more information about these sessions at this link.

Finding fulfillment and Success in Coaching: Insights from Jane Austen

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / Jane Austin / marketing / quote / success
A black background has an illustration of three batteries in the centre with a band of green and then red light radiating outwards/ The cuboid bettery to the right has an indicatior light lit totally red. next to that battery is a cylindrical bettery which only has half of its indicator light lit green. A third battery is sat in front of those two, forming a traingular shape. That last batter has its indicator lit half green and half red. The text reads: " "Nothing ever fatigues me, but doing what I do not light." (Jane Austin)

Today’s quote is:

“Nothing ever fatigues me, but doing what I do not like.” (Jane Austin)

This quote can be interpreted in numerous ways, but let’s apply it practically to our work as coaches.

In our line of work, there’s a constant influx of advice and strategies marketed to coaches on the topic off marketing, promising to be the magic formula for success. However, I believe there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Professionals thrive using a variety of methods, and the key often lies in understanding and catering to your ideal clientele. For instance, if your target audience isn’t particularly tech-savvy, relying solely on digital communication might not yield the best results!

As far as I can tell, what sets apart those who enjoy long-term success is their ability to align their work with their passions and interests alongside being guided by their own wisdom. They do what genuinely energizes them, rather than forcing themselves into tasks that drain their enthusiasm. After all, we naturally gravitate towards activities that bring us joy and fulfillment.

Moreover, successful coaches are not afraid to experiment and try new approaches. They give themselves permission to explore and adapt, recognizing that the journey to success is rarely linear. Sometimes, changing direction or trying something new leads to unexpected breakthroughs and opportunities for growth.

So, what does Jane Austen’s quote prompt for you? How can you apply the principle of doing what energizes you in your coaching practice? Take a moment to reflect on the tasks and activities that truly bring you joy and fulfillment. Consider how you can incorporate more of these into your daily routine, and don’t hesitate to explore new avenues and approaches.

As we wrap up the week, let’s remember Jane Austen’s wise words and strive to build a coaching practice that brings us joy, fulfillment, and ultimately, success. After all, when we do what we love, fatigue becomes much less of an issue to deal with.

What are your thoughts on this quote? How do you interpret it in the context of coaching? Share your insights and reflections – I’d love to hear from you!

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.

The Power of Planning: Navigating the Coaching Journey with Purpose

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / Dwight D Eisenhower / flexibility / plan / planning / quote / success
A framed white board with a red, blue and green pen sat on the ledge underneath. The text on the board reads: "In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless but planning is indispensable." (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

Today’s quote is:

“In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless but planning is indispensable.” (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

This thought-provoking statement challenges us to reconsider the role of plans in our coaching journeys. As coaches, it’s time to reflect on the plans we’ve crafted and understand that while life may throw curveballs, the act of planning remains an indispensable tool for success.

The Value of Planning:

Life is unpredictable, and coaching is no exception. Plans may not always unfold as expected, but this doesn’t diminish the significance of the planning process. Planning provides us with a roadmap, offering a sense of direction and purpose. It’s a tool that helps us navigate the complexities of our coaching endeavors, offering a foundation upon which we can build and adapt.

Revisiting Your Plan:

My personal take is that a plan is useful—until it isn’t. When I worked as a trainer, I experimented with various methods of writing training plans. Some provided a detailed minute-by-minute outline, while others were more of a general framework—mainly to ensure that if, for some reason, I was unavailable on the day, a colleague could step in and deliver the session.

When I personally delivered the session, the training that worked best was when I used the plans as a guide rather than a rigid set of rules, adapting the content to the individuals in the room and aiming for our desired outcome by the end of the session. I recall one session in the corporate world that was supposed to solely teach new information, but it quickly became evident that a lack of knowledge was not the issue. So, I abandoned the plan and used the day to focus on addressing the actual issues.

If you have a plan in place, today is an opportune moment to revisit it. Take the time to evaluate whether it still aligns with your goals, aspirations and the general direction you want to be heading. Plans are not set in stone; they are dynamic guides that can evolve with changing circumstances. Ask yourself: Is the plan serving its purpose, or does it require adjustments? Reflecting on these questions ensures that your plan remains a relevant and effective tool in your coaching toolkit.

Adaptability is Key:

Eisenhower’s quote emphasizes the indispensable nature of planning, even when plans may prove useless in the face of unexpected challenges. This apparent paradox highlights the importance of adaptability. A rigid adherence to a plan can lead to frustration and disappointment, but viewing your plan as a flexible guide allows for adjustments that align with your changing needs and circumstances.

Embracing Flexibility:

I think that having a coaching business is a journey marked by growth and evolution, and your plan should reflect that. Embrace the flexibility inherent in planning, acknowledging that detours and adjustments are part of the process. By doing so, you empower yourself to navigate unforeseen challenges while staying true to your overarching goals.

For example, just because you start working with one particular set of clients does not mean that you are never allowed to work with anyone different in the future. (So for anyone that feels they need to have it all figured out before working with “real clients” then my invitation to you is to experiment and remember you’re allowed to change your mind in the future.)

Conclusion:

In the ever-changing landscape of having a coaching business, planning remains a cornerstone of success for many. Today’s quote serves as a reminder that while plans themselves may not always unfold as intended, the process of planning is indispensable – if nothing else it helps you be in the same place as your client at a pre-arranged time! Take the time to reflect on your own plans, ensuring they continue to serve your purpose. Embrace the adaptability that planning affords, and let it guide you through the dynamic and fulfilling journey. After all, it’s not about the perfection of the plan, but the empowerment derived from the planning process 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.

Breaking Free from Conventional Wisdom: Designing Your Coaching Business on Your Terms

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / quote / success / Thomas Bailey Aldrich
This image is in the style of a water colour. There is a a couple of trees in the distance in the top right and left corner, a white skyline meets a stretch of different greens that stretch to the bottom of the image. At the very bottom of the page, in the foreground are individual blades of grass in a rich green. In the bottomright there is a brown bird with a lighter brown under wings, face and lower body. It has a worm in its beak and has its wings up as if about to take flight. The text reads: "The fate of the worm refutes the pretended ethical teaching of the proverb which assumes to illustrate the advantage of early rising and does so by showing how extremely dangerous it is." (Thomas Bailey Aldrich)

Today’s quote is:

“The fate of the worm refutes the pretended ethical teaching of the proverb which assumes to illustrate the advantage of early rising and does so by showing how extremely dangerous it is.” (Thomas Bailey Aldrich)

Whether you identify as a night owl or an early bird, this quote challenges us to reconsider the norms and expectations imposed on us. As coaches, especially those with a coaching business, it’s an invitation to break free from the preconceived notions of how a business should run and explore what truly works for you.

Questioning Conventional Wisdom:

Many coaches, operating as sole practitioners or leading small teams, often find themselves navigating the world of business based on inherited “rules” and societal “shoulds.” The question that arises is, do these norms align with your unique vision and preferences for your coaching business? The quote encourages a pause for reflection, urging coaches to question whether they are willingly conforming to business expectations that may not resonate with their personal style.

Crafting Your Own Narrative:

Imagine the freedom of designing your coaching business on your terms. The quote prompts coaches to consider the possibility of breaking away from conventional structures and creating a business model that suits their lifestyle and preferences. It challenges the assumption that there is a one-size-fits-all approach to running a coaching practice. What if you had the creative liberty to shape your work in a way that not only serves your clients but also brings joy and fulfillment to your own professional journey?

For me, on more than one occasion, I have found myself stressing over how to fit new commitments into my day – until realising that I could schedule coaching calls differently. Just because others scheduled them one way didn’t mean that I had to, or on another occasion just because I had been scheduling calls that way didn’t mean I couldn’t change that structure! (I know, it seems so obvious once you get that new thought lol) I suspect I’m not the only one who forgets that we get to make this up for ourselves, so that it works for you and your life!

The central question posed is an invitation to coaches: “If you got to make up how your coaching business ran, what would you do?”

  • How would you structure your day, week, or month?
  • How would you love to invite people to experience your coaching?
  • What extra support would you get? …..

Explore your own unique preferences and create a business environment that aligns with your personal and professional values.

Conclusion:

As coaches, it’s essential to remember that the path to a successful coaching business doesn’t have to conform to societal expectations. The Aldrich quote serves as a reminder that sometimes the conventional wisdom may not be as wise as it seems. So, take a moment to envision your coaching business on your terms. Embrace the freedom to create a structure that resonates with you, and watch as your coaching practice flourishes in authenticity and fulfillment. After all, rewriting the rules is often the first step to success!

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.

Sow, Grow, Repeat: Embracing a Proverb for Coaching Success

 in quote  tagged coach / coaches / coaching / coaching business / growing / quote / success
The background of this image is out of focus but looks like it is green plants. In focus in the foreground is rich looking soil with green shoots sprouting in several spots. The text reads: "Don't stop sowing just because the birds ate a few seeds." (Danish proverb)

Today’s quote is:

“Don’t stop sowing just because the birds ate a few seeds.” (Danish proverb)

In the realm of coaching and having your own coaching business, success is often seen as the culmination of effective strategies, flawless execution, and unwavering determination. However, the journey towards achieving coaching excellence is more nuanced than meets the eye. Today’s quote I think points towards the reality of how embracing the spirit of trial and error can be a game-changer in the pursuit of coaching success.

The Wisdom Behind the Proverb:

Coaching and business is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, demanding adaptability and resilience from practitioners. The Danish proverb encapsulates the essence of persistence and resilience. It encourages coaches to press on despite setbacks, acknowledging that not every seed sown will sprout into success. Just as birds may consume a few seeds, coaches may encounter obstacles, failures, or unexpected challenges along their journey. The key lies in not letting these setbacks derail the pursuit of excellence.

Reflecting on Possibilities:

The proverb prompts coaches to engage in a powerful thought exercise: “If you knew it was perfectly fine for not every idea or strategy to work, what would you try?” This question challenges coaches to expand their horizons, fostering a mindset that welcomes experimentation and innovation. By encouraging coaches to ponder the possibilities without the pressure of immediate implementation, the proverb invites a freedom of thought that can lead to groundbreaking insights.

The Pursuit of Success:

Success in coaching and business is not a linear path; it’s a journey marked by twists, turns, and occasional setbacks. The quote urges coaches to view failure as an integral part of the learning process. Embracing the idea that not every seed will flourish allows coaches to approach challenges with a sense of curiosity and openness. Instead of being disheartened by unsuccessful attempts, coaches can treat each experience as a valuable lesson, contributing to their growth and development.

Trial and Error: A Catalyst for Growth:

Coaches who are willing to accept the inevitability of setbacks are better equipped to navigate the intricate landscape of coaching and business. The pursuit of success requires a willingness to lose a few seeds in the process. Just as a gardener accepts that not every seed will yield a thriving plant, coaches can approach their strategies with a similar mindset. Each failed attempt becomes a stepping stone towards refinement and improvement.

Conclusion:

In the world of coaching and business, the Danish proverb serves as a beacon of wisdom, guiding practitioners through the complexities of their journey. By embracing the inevitability of setbacks and cultivating a mindset that values trial and error, coaches can unlock new avenues for success. So, as you tread the path of coaching excellence, ask yourself: How many seeds are you willing to lose in pursuit of your desired outcome? The answer may very well determine the richness of the harvest that awaits.

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.

TED Talk Tuesday 17th July 2018

 in TED talk  tagged Lee Sears / success / TED talk

This week the clip chosen because of its potential interest to coaches is from an independent TEDxYouth event. Leadership coach and co-founder of coach in a box, Lee Sears focuses upon the subject of success.

Why being brilliant might stop us from being successful |Lee Sears | TEDxYouth@Manchester


Clip length: 12 mins 42 secs

Prefer to watch via YouTube? In that case you’ll need to click here.