THE SECRET OF YOUR LIFE
Coaching is the best thing that has happened to me
“This is the best thing that has happened to me in 2015,” a participant in the coaching sessions stated yesterday.
Attending session five of six sessions, she was giving highlights of how far she was with her personal strategy map, a tool we embark on in session three. The personal strategy map helps translate our dreams from paper into reality. The journey begins at that point when we are clear on what steps we are taking.
From her dream list, this participant who is involved in the creative arts had writing as part of her key focus areas.
Just after session three, JackeeBatanda of the Success Park Brand writing series advertised a one-day-writing class for UGX200K. As soon as I read the advert, I could see this as the missing piece of the puzzle from what we were putting together.
I forwarded the ad to this participant. Apparently her accountability partner for the writing task on hearing Jackee’s event retorted: “Just sign up like yesterday. If you don’t have the money, we will lend it to you.”
Yesterday as we continued with our streamlining process, I tasked the participant to prioritize all the writing activities from Jackee’s class. Her face was beaming.
“This process is worth every cent I put in. I will forever be grateful to Alice for referring me to these sessions,” she said. I could not help but glorify the Lord within my heart. I had two sessions to run after an exhausting trip. Listening to another person stating the value addition from the holding each other’s hands all the way process was energizing.
It is amazing how active listening enables us identify what the critical aspects of one’s process are. That is what makes coaching different. It is a two-way process. The coach listens, asks pertinent questions, takes the journey with the individual, while the coachee takes full responsibility of acting on the cues.
Here are examples of cues acted upon in our first year:
Participant had several key dreams that needed to be streamlined. As we reflected, there were persons she needed to talk to. Assignment was for her to go talk to two individuals. Out of this process, she has a full scholarship to pursue a Masters in Petroleum in the UK come September.
Participant had an assignment that enabled her identify her major strengths. This happened at a time when a restructuring exercise was happening at her workplace. Fast forward, acting on what her strengths were geared for, the odds turned her into her boss’ boss!
Participant had her business enterprise running in an adhoc manner. We emphasized the need for professionalism. It cost a bit of money to have this business sorted. Recently KCCA was at her door. She confidently welcomed the team. She had every single paper the team asked for. What a relief!
