Coaching Wizardry » Testimonials

Looking at things in a new light

Joanna — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 10:21:00 +0000

The essence of coaching is changing the way that we look at things. That shift in perspective can be enough to transform the way we experience our lives. Here’s what one client said:

“I feel less anxious as a result of the coaching. More…in control, more satisfied, optimistic and fulfilled. It helped me realise I already have the things that I need and want. It wasn’t a question of identifying new goals to chase after, more about getting the balance right so I could enjoy what I already have. Coaching gave me the chance to step back and look at things differently.

For me it was like opening the shutters to flood the room with light.”

And what a beautiful metaphor to finish with. I couldn’t ask for lovelier feedback.

A voyage of self-discovery

Joanna — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 19:53:00 +0000

Coaching, for me, is about so much more than achieving goals. Its real power, its magic, is in the transformations that occur in relation to the stuff that happens day and daily: our ordinary, extra-ordinary, everyday reality. This is what happened to one client “just” by changing the way she talked to herself:

“Life coaching is like an exciting voyage of self-discovery. I started off thinking I had one set of issues that I needed to deal with – things I ‘ought’ to do to be a better, healthier person, like lose weight, go to the gym, give up smoking. Coaching made me realise that I had been carrying around a long list of ‘must do’ issues for years, which had weighed me down to such an extent that I felt paralysed. The role of my coach was critical to this process of growing self-awareness. By offering non-judgemental, insightful questions and
comment she helped me to see what I really needed to do differently and where I really want to get to. I came away from sessions feeling energised and positive and clear about the steps I needed to take. These were always practical, manageable and realistic. During the course of coaching my energy levels rose, I began to feel much more positive about my life and am gradually learning not to go through life with a big millstone round my neck with the words ‘must do’, ‘should do’, ‘guilt’ on them. I feel like I am enjoying life and being me for the first time in years. I could not have reached this point withoutthe insight and support of my coach.”

And that, for me, is what coaching is all about. Finding the key that will allow you to enjoy life again and just be: yourself…

Things change when you take action

Joanna — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:26:00 +0000

The emphasis on action is one of the defining features of coaching. Even very small changes can ‘unblock’ a situation and put you back in the driving seat.

Here’s what one client said about the benefits of this approach for her:

“The coaching gave me a greater sense of direction and purpose. What I liked was the way we identified actions to take each week, even small things like changes to my daily routine. This helped to create a sense of forward momentum. It was also a great reminder to me to that things change when you do something rather than just think about it…That’s probably the main point that I’ll carry with me as I continue in my journey to set up my own business practice.”