Thomas Bailey Aldrich – Coaching Confidence

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

8 February 2024 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 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.

Navigating the Mind’s Social Gathering: A Coaching Perspective

13 January 2024 in quote tagged coaching / quote / Thomas Bailey Aldrich / thoughts

Todays quote of the day is:

“A man is known by the company his mind keeps.” – Thomas Bailey Aldrich

First, a nod to language: While respecting its historical context, let’s acknowledge the inclusive shift: “An individual is known by the company their mind keeps.” The book where this quote can be found was first published in 1903. For the sake of clarity I’m interpreting this quote to mean humans in general rather than it being a odd quirk that only applys to the male proportion of the worlds population!

In the dance of our daily lives, our thoughts can play a significant role in shaping our experiences and interactions.

The Impact of Thoughts on Feelings and Interactions:

At its core, this quote prompts us to contemplate the profound connection between our thoughts, feelings, and interactions. Have you ever noticed how a simple thought can trigger a cascade of emotions? Picture a sad thought, and suddenly, you feel a wave of sadness. Envision an argument in your mind, and its subtle effects might unconsciously seep into your interactions with others.

From Seeking Better “Company” to a Fresh Perspective:

Reflecting on my coaching journey, I recall a phase where my emphasis was on finding better “company” for the mind. However, as understanding deepened, a fresh perspective emerged. Visualize your thoughts as guests at a lively festive party. Some, like old friends, bring familiarity and comfort. Others may be less welcome, but playing the gracious host, you acknowledge their temporary stay. Just like guests, thoughts can overstay, but the key lies in recognizing that you don’t need to forcibly evict them. Left to their own devices, they graciously make space for new, different company.

The Festive Season Analogy:

Consider the festive season analogy—thoughts, akin to energetic guests, may make their presence felt before conscious awareness. Left to their own devices, they carry on with their “day.” Perhaps you know someone who always wears a unique scent – you may not have seen them but you know theyre around if you smell that scent. I find some thoughts are like that I may not consciously have been aware of the thought but can tell by its unique feeling that its been around. How does this reshape your approach to managing the diverse thoughts in your mental soiree?

Are Techniques to Change Thoughts Useless? A Different Perspective:

Now, you might wonder if this perspective renders techniques to change thoughts useless. Far from it. I present an alternative viewpoint inspired by today’s quote. Embracing this led me to naturally ease off on techniques. They remain in my toolkit, ready if ever needed, yet the shift unfolded organically. Your coaching journey might unfold differently, and that’s the beauty of diverse perspectives.

Thouhts about the mind’s social gathering?

What insights or fresh thoughts does this quote spark in your coaching practice? Share your thoughts, experiences, and alternative perspectives in the comments below.

About Jen Waller

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