What do you think of when you hear someone mention life coaching?
To me, coaching is a process that helps people find that inner-strength, integrity and clarity to take action. It’s not that someone out there has the answers, it’s about trusting yourself, knowing that you can and will figure it out – whatever the goal/challenge.
Let me share an example of why this has been my experience time and time again when I’ve given myself the gift of getting a coach.
One of my most recent coaches has been for climbing!
I’ve been climbing off and on for 12 years – indoor top roped; outdoor sport & trad; and this year bouldering.
This year is the fastest I’ve ever seen improvement, in just two sessions with a coach, I went up two climbing grades!
My first time 'leading' traditional climbing in the Lakes!
I didn’t get stronger in that time, it was that my coach motivated me, taught me how do moves more efficiently, and gave me the confidence to know what this easier way of climbing feels like in my body.
These are in many ways the same three things we will be weaving into our group coaching sessions:
📣 One, the burst of energy that comes from having cheerleaders.
I’m amazed how often I wouldn’t even try to do a dynamic move at the top of a wall because I felt a little too tired, and then hearing my coach and climbing buddy say, “you got this!” filled my muscles with a burst of adrenaline and I shot up with ease!
making big moves is easier when you know others are there to catch you if you fall
We’re social creatures and it’s amazing the difference it makes to have someone rooting for you and walking alongside as you work towards a goal.
Sustainability work can be tiring, you may feel disheartened that you’re the one mentioning aquifers drying up or pictures of the CEO flying all over the globe being at odds with the organisation’s sustainability commitments, and in group coaching it feels great to have that celebration time and it’s even better in group coaching when there is an inherent excitement that comes from knowing you’re part of a wider group with a common cause!
🦶🏼 Two, we will be sharing some pointers, metaphors and concepts that have either worked for us or others in similar situations.
For some coaches, teaching people to trust themselves means they don’t interrupt and mainly ask reflective questions that help their client find the answers for themselves. We love reflective exercises and guided meditations, but we will interrupt people to get them out of certain patterns that may not be serving them. At the very least, I point people towards mindsets that are useful in most situations like embracing experimentation and failure (want to try this out, listen to my podcast episode on Embracing Failure).
Let me explain this through my climbing experience. I now know I’d been doing heel hooks wrong for a dozen years!
I am grateful that my coach interrupted this pattern, stopped me and explained how and when to use heel hooks.
something to aspire to (at the moment, this looks insanely terrifying!)
See, heel hooks (essentially wedging your foot into a hold rather than your hand) are great on overhangs because it allows you to to keep your centre of gravity closer to the wall. When using my heel I’d always pulled my leg in towards my chest to secure the tension for keeping my heel on the wall. It turns out, pointing your toe down is how you lock your heel into a hold! Pointing your toe > pulling your heel towards your butt is effortless in comparison!
Maybe you’ve been in some thought patterns that make your job way harder - we all have these! Why keep doing things the same way, instead let’s learn from each other.
🧗🏻♂️ Three, figuring out what feels right for you.
My climbing coach is shorter than me, and sometimes if I try to put my hands and feet where she has I’m too bunched up to do the next move. It doesn’t make me think that I’m doing something wrong though. Instead we play around, both of us trying different hand or feet placements on the holds until we figure what does feel good for a body my shape and size. And sometimes, I can’t get it and we move on.
Coaching is not about your coach or someone else telling you what ‘the right’ next step is. This is the main magic of coaching is in my opinion: you having a way to figure out what feels good for you, knowing all the things that you know. In all the sessions we will be playing with techniques, including some delicious guided meditations, that will help you get out of your head, and become more aware of what their gut, heart and body are telling you about the best course of action.
Have any questions about climbing or coaching, send me a message!
Or if you want to know more about our coaching qualifications? Check out the Ethical Coaching Collectives’ Ethical Standards that I aim to embody in all the coaching I do (and what was attracted me to this certification scheme).
