When I was a little girl, I loved listening to fairy tale stories at bedtime. Tinkerbell, Rose Red, Snow White, Cinderella. “The princess married the prince and they live happily ever after. The End.”
After university I had big dreams; landing a successful job, getting married, settling down and having a family. I wanted to live in a dream house near a big city.
Believe it or not, most of this came true.
But, not really in the way I expected. Life got busy with hectic work schedules, family events and after school programs. One day I woke up and realized I was not happy. Something was missing.
And then, at the stroke of midnight, everything fell apart.
I was lost. I was stuck. I could not move forward. I was afraid. I was alone.
I remember one night burying my head in the pillows.
I wanted a fairy Godmother. I wanted someone to listen to me, to hear my wishes and make everything all right.
But that wasn’t going to happen.
Instead I hired a life coach.
She didn’t come from a pumpkin or a magical cloud in the sky.
I researched life coaching and found a wonderful profile of a certified life coach with similar experiences to me. I found her on the Co-Active Training Institute website. I called her up and asked some questions.
This one decision completely changed my life. I was committed to making a change and I just needed someone to help me find clarity and guide me through the process.
Today I would like to share some tips that helped me make my decision to hire a coach.
A good coach is…
A Sounding Board. I was alone and felt I needed to be heard and understood. Most of my friends and family were not available and a little too opinionated. A good coach accepts us for who we are and listens without judgement. A good coach is an expert at being present and listening to you.
Curious. I was confused. My coach probed with deep questions that forced me to face my fears. I was hesitant in making decisions because my core values were not acknowledged. A good coach asks powerful questions that take us to a place where we connect with our inner core values.
Tough. While I knew she cared about me, she also challenged me, even dared me to step outside my comfort zone. For my career she asked me to conduct face to face, walk-in sales calls. A good coach recognizes our fears and challenges us to take risks. She also knows that we have the power to achieve anything.
Life would be exciting in a magical kingdom. Tall castles, mystical forests and wildflower gardens with fairies. But I am not a princess running from a dragon hoping a knight in shining armor will swoop me up and save me.
I am a naturally creative, resourceful and whole person with all the tools necessary to live a wonderful life.
I don’t need a knight, a wizard or a fairy Godmother.
But every now and then, a life coach helps.
Thanks Janet for sharing! I loved the analogy of the fairy godmother and the life coach! From what I can tell, YOU WORK MAGIC in others lives as they open themselves up to you!
Thanks for opening up yourself so others may learn!
Thank you for your comment Dale. Yes, the chemistry/magical quality is important in order for clients to open up. My clients feel safe because they are in a trusting and honest environment.
I like your stories. Always beautiful, fun and authentic…
Thnak you Jeff! I am glad to hear that you enjoy them.
Hello Janet–thank you for sharing such a lovely, honest account. We all need others to help us move forwards and as your post indicates it can be so rewarding and life-changing. We have to be humble to reach out. Humility in itself is a powerful tool for change–and that’s just the beginning!:)
Thank you for sharing such an inspirational message Marina! Commit2Change.