Research Paper By Gerdi Verwoert
(Life Coach, AUSTRIA)
How Coaching Can Help Move Past Feeling Like a Fraud
The Man in the Arena
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. –Theodore Roosevelt, Paris, France 23 April 1910
Be a Mountain Seeker
Most of us try to avoid mountains, but what’s so good about that? Think about it: flat tyres, flat hair, flat returns – and the ultimate – flat lining. Life happens on mountains! They’re opportunities to prove to yourself that you’re stronger than you ever imagined. If you never attempt the ascent, you’ll never know the thrill of swooshing down the other side! –Adapted from Self Magazine
1 Feeling like a fraud
1.1 Conflicting emotions
She has just finished talking with the company director about her performance appraisal. It went well. Clients are happy and on some projects they specifically ask for her. Colleagues speak highly of her. She is not only a good project leader and consultant, but also contributes in other areas of the company. In short, they are very happy with her performance. So much so, that she has gotten a raise in salary as well as a promotion.
The director walks her to the elevator. As the elevator arrives and she is about to step in, they shake hands. He says: “I look forward to working with you again next year. Continuing like this can only lead to bigger things. Enjoy your weekend!”
She is composed when she steps into the elevator. Once the doors close though, she is overcome with two conflicting emotions.