Why I practice what I preach

It's really important to me that I practice what I preach when it comes to coaching so I wanted to share some reflections on my experience of being coached this year.

Coaches need coaching

I had my final coaching session with my coach Jo recently and it was a cracker.

She challenged me with some powerful questions which led me to flip my definition of what it means to be a grown up (at 42 apparently this was still unclear). This had been a real blocker for me for a long time and was keeping me firmly stuck.

It was honestly like a lightning bolt and now the way forward is clear and sparkly and unhampered by unhelpful barriers and assumptions that were never real in the first place. It was one of those moments that I've seen my clients have, where something just clicks into place and allows you to move forward. It's magic.

Of course I'm biased about how life changing coaching can be but I honestly don't know what place I'd be in without the coaching I've had over the years. It's allowed me to make so much progress in the areas where I need it the most - progress I just couldn't make on my own.

Coaching supervision

I also recently had a brilliant coaching supervision session, as part of my ongoing commitment to be the best coach I can be. Supervision is a space for coaches to bring any issues that are affecting them and/or their coaching practice and get support and fresh perspectives from their supervisor.

My supervisor Sheela allowed me to explore the issue I really needed help with, even though I wasn't sure it was something I was 'allowed' to bring to supervision. She made me feel so seen and understood and for one reason or another, we both ended up sitting on bean bag chairs during the session which brought a fun and creative feel to the session and really loosened up my thinking. It was such a great reminder of the power of creativity and I'm reflecting on how I can bring more creativity into my coaching practice.

Both these sessions were poignant reminders that support systems like these are essential to help us keep becoming the best possible versions of ourselves. Something for you to ponder: which support systems do you need and are you getting enough support at the moment?

(Photo of me and my whippet puppy Flash out on a walk).