Lisa Young is a qualified coach through The Coaching Academy and has enthusiastically agreed to share her coaching experience, so we have put her in the Coaching Hot Seat. Her journey so far:- Previously a teacher, I really used to get a buzz out of helping raise confidence and aspirations within the children I worked with. This observation began a quest to find a profession where I could work with people, helping them feel more positive about themselves, their lives and aspirations – I had a real desire to make a difference.My quest led me to a course in Careers Guidance and it was during work experience that I met a trainee coach who inspired me to investigate this profession and try a Coaching Academy certificate weekend.
The weekend fully held my attention, stopped me in my tracks and pretty much blew me away. The two days made me sit up in my chair and really take note. Everything that was said touched me somehow and made full sense to me. It was pretty instantaneous that I knew whole heartedly I relate to and connect with coaching and without doubt I wanted to become a coach.
Working through my wheel of life during the certificate weekend made me realise there was a lot I wanted to change on a personal level. I had begun to simply accept certain things whether I liked them or not, simply believing things like my confidence level, negativity or habits I did not like were impossible to change. My certificate weekend was largely refreshing as it was the first time I ever had the opportunity to challenge any of my attitudes or beliefs. From doing so in the space of only two days, I felt more uplifted and motivated than I had done for years and I knew there was potential to develop on a personal level as well as professionally by studying with The Coaching Academy. I was very ready to make changes.
During my journey the moments I recall as being the most rewarding and magical have been hearing clients come back and describe their successes and hearing their delight at what they achieved. Seeing them progress has proved the huge power in the coaching process not only to them but to me too.
It has been and is a total privilege and adventure to travel with clients along their journeys of change and growth and be the person they share and reflect with as they progress towards their special goals and dreams.
Another profound moment for me was during the feedback session of my first proper Practical Assessment. Hearing that I was doing a good job and that the work I was putting in was making a difference to my coaching and subsequently to the experience my clients are receiving was and still is hugely rewarding.
By working with a fantastic and inspirational coach, I have challenged myself time and time again and implemented so many good habits into my life as a result of looking at things in a new way. I am currently more positive, motivated, healthy and happy than I can ever remember and changes in my external self and outer attitude have been noticed and fed back to me so positively by family and friends, which is very humbling. As a result of all of the above, I feel my confidence grow a little more every day and it is truly fantastic to see what is possible. I passed my Personal Performance Diploma far quicker than I thought I would and was approached for paid coaching before I had even began to market myself!
My renewed attitude and approach to things means I find purpose and enjoyment in most if not all I do. If something does not go quite to plan I now aim to look upon it as a valuable learning opportunity or an important lesson.
Stopping to think about which topics and areas I feel most passionate about within coaching was really helpful in order to identify a niche area – the answer came really easily to me! Now I am clearer about where I wish to take my coaching and exactly how I want to help people. This enables me to talk more confidently and clearly about what I do.
Confidence coaching has become my niche area. Why? Simple – I really wish to help others turn things around for the better and really start to feel great about themselves and their lives – the way I have seen is possible on a personal level.The best thing that could happen to my coaching business in the next two years is that it gets solidly and steadily established with a growing client base. My wish is to attract clients who are ready to be coached and take action so that I can help empower them to create the best successes. Above all else, continuing to provide the greatest coaching experience possible to clients through being the best coach I can be would be the very best thing that could happen in the next two years and beyond.
So onto my favourite coaching question; There are so many awesome questions but two that stand out for me as being very powerful, thought provoking and create great chance for reflection and change are;
‘What do you want instead?’ ‘What did / are you learning about yourself?’
My top tips for someone on their coaching journey would be to find a pace you work well at, enjoy the journey and be present, get excited about your future but value the now – it is the only moment we have.
If someone is putting off practical assessments feel the fear and do it anyway – it is an invaluable time to learn and improve as a coach. Commit to taking and implementing feedback.
Think about the coaching you have done so far and try to identify what topics you feel most passionate coaching around. From this ask yourself the potential in it being your niche area and when you are ready begin thinking about who and how you wish to market this to. Research what other coaches do and make good use of the support available from coaching communities and training days – bounce ideas off other coaches and trainers, and share yours.
Qualification does not mean the end of the line! Treat learning as a life-long and enjoyable project – focus on what you enjoy learning and how it can enhance your development or niche area, make being the best you can be a life-long and treasured journey.
Pace yourself! Enjoy the journey, take time over doing things well and learn from any challenges or little detours along the way! Set realistic time scales and goals that stretch you and approach them with full attention and the aim of enjoyment.Think your best thoughts, identify who or what inspires you and why, think about how you can do similar things yourself – be an inspiration too.