When I heard that line from the poet David Whyte the other day it really struck a chord.
Why?
Because it gets to the very heart of what I want my coaching to be about.
Yes, I can help you develop good habits, change your career and even find more meaning and purpose in your life.
But underneath it all the most important thing I can do is help you feel less alone with your stress and anxieties.
Put down the weight of your aloneness and ease into the conversation.
My favourite word in that line is ‘ease’.
Coaching at its best doesn’t feel rushed or forced. It feels like breathing space in a busy life.
It’s the opposite of what sometimes happens when you ask even the most well meaning partner, friend or colleague for help. They’ll listen and do their best, but you’ll usually have the sense you’re on a deadline. There’s only so much you can say before they get bored or change the subject or shut down the conversation with a quick piece of advice. Well, why don’t you just do such and such.
Often, being the polite people we are, we nod and say thanks – that’s useful. But we know it isn’t really. There’s zero chance we’ll put that advice into action. It wasn’t what we needed.
What we crave is the feeling we’re being really listened to. We want the time to explore thoughts and discover perspectives we’ve never considered before. Coaching can give you all this and more.
At its best, it’s the most interesting conversation you’ll ever have about yourself.
Over time, it can help you define your contribution to the bigger conversation.
In our frantic, distracted lives, I think coaching, a kind of unique human and creative collaboration, is needed more than ever.
My goal this year is to have more of these honest, powerful conversations.
If you’re interested in how my coaching could help you, get in touch to arrange a complimentary first session. I specialise in working with people in their 40s who want to change long-standing unproductive habits and get more clarity, purpose and fun in their lives.
Here’s what a recent client had to say:
In a time of massive change for me personally and my business as a whole, coaching with Andrew helped keep me sane. He supported me, challenged my mindset, and helped me develop clear insight into what I should and could be doing.
To start your conversation, email andrew@andrewsewell.com