Open questions
I asked open questions during each session, trying to get more information about the current situation of the Client, about what she really wanted from her professional life, and to get her thinking about what she would need to do or learn in order to move towards the desired outcome, for example:
“What made you choose your current profession in the first place?”
“You are 50 years old, what are the people who know you well saying about you (e.g. during a birthday party at work)?”
“What do you need to know about the company where you would like to work in order to decide whether you are interested in applying for a job there?”
Action planning
After getting information from Emily on what needed to be done in order to move things forward, we would agree on a a few tasks that she would be able to accomplish before the next session. I was careful to check if the Client was convinced those were the tasks that would be helpful. Normally she accomplished them with no problems.
Insights and comments expressed by the Client
Insights and comments expressed by the Client in the beginning of the coaching process:
“Obviously I’m more motivated to push myself with research/change/next steps when I’m unhappy at work! [If I am happy] I’m just enjoying what I have.”
“I think I’ve realized that my reluctance to move forward with coaching is that I’m pretty happy with what I’ve got! I’ve been appreciating my current job more – I do get a certain amount of satisfaction from it, and enjoy the low level of responsibility it brings, which allows me to pass on more stressful things to those in a more senior position than me!”
“I’ve been fully appreciating my spare time, and realize that I love coming home to an ’empty’ evening that I can fill with enjoyable things, including fitness, yoga and reading. I also love that the routine I have allows me to make time to see friends, and to keep on top of housework and to be able to plan for meals to eat healthily.
I think by pursuing coaching I would risk loosing all of the above, and I think that is why I have currently stalled.”
Insights and comments expressed by the Client later on in the coaching process:
“I have made a list of reasons why not to progress in the beauty industry, and have realized a lot of them are indeed my mother’s thoughts! I haven’t yet worked out how to eliminate her voice in my head, but I’ve been doing quite a bit in terms of thinking about how to research/progress in this area. I guess its all just information gathering, at this stage.”
“Yes, I feel really positive about it all at the moment. Feel very happy and lucky. In summary, I’m progressing both life coaching and beauty therapy. Why limit myself to just one goal! :-)”
“I don’t think I could have got to this point if it weren’t for your coaching. Thank you for all your help – you can see it has really paid off!!!!”