A Research Paper By Cristina Diconescu, Executive Coach, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Solar Coaching – The Revolution in You: Case study on self-coaching
This paper approaches the process of coaching in analogy with the Sun’s movements around Earth, to capture the Revolution movement as a journey that each person goes through in the process of coaching while living an internal revolution himself. The intentional aim is to grow, develop and perform, while constantly rewriting the value, emotion, thinking, actions, and results cycle and build sustainable new perspectives, and approaches, realigning priorities or removing oneself from a place where you’re stuck with no or low value to live in.
Many analogies have described the benefits of coaching in the growth and development journey, after long reflections on how to better translate that, books read, information sedimented, listening and continuous curiosity about the internal and external elements throughout the holistic person journey in the coaching process, light came by itself shining upon the beauty, practicality and discovery that coaching holds. Integrating the concept of coaching with natural elements has the power to give a more obvious understanding of the integration between the different “seasons” of the patterns of our internal processes and their translation into the outside world or in the relationships we shape with others.
Solar Coaching is a model that blends the concept of coaching and the movements of the universe to bring about transformational change in oneself, individuals and businesses. This paper will examine the Solar Coaching model, exploring how it works and how it can be applied.
Solar Coaching Definition
Solar Coaching is an integrated approach to coaching that takes a holistic view of the client. The model looks at the client as being the Earth and the coaching process as being the Sun. The coach is summing up the forces of the universe, helping the client to grow and develop. This model can be applied as self-coaching as well as by an external coach.
Solar Coaching is a powerful tool that helps individuals and businesses achieve their goals. It is a process that helps individuals unlock their potential, set realistic goals and develop a plan to achieve those goals. Coaching is not just about imparting knowledge or skills, but rather about empowering individuals to take charge of their own lives and make the necessary changes to achieve their desired outcomes.
The Solar Coaching model takes this concept further, by using the movements of the universe to create a structured and holistic approach to coaching. The model views the person or business being coached as the Earth and the coaching process as the Sun, with the coach being the forces of the universe that help bring about change.
The Solar Coaching model follows a cyclical approach, where the coach guides the individual or business through a series of steps, starting with values, emotions, thoughts, behaviours, actions, and results, and connecting back to values again. This cycle is repeated, with the thoughts and actions representing the investments, while the results and values represent the returns. The Earth represents the person or business and stands for energy, adaptability, resourcefulness, tenacity, and holistic thinking. The Sun represents the coaching methodology, which integrates with the Earth and stands for solar, unique, and nurturing.
The Solar Coaching cycle follows this pattern:
- Values – The client identifies their core values. These are the things that are most important to them in life.
- Emotions – The client explores their emotions. They learn how to identify and manage their emotions in a healthy way.
- Thoughts – The client examines their thoughts. They learn how to challenge negative thoughts and replace them with more positive ones.
- Behaviours – The client changes their behaviours. They learn how to act in a way that is consistent with their values.
- Actions – The client takes action. They start to live their life in a way that is aligned with their values.
- Results – The client sees results. They start to achieve their goals and live a more fulfilling life.
The Solar Coaching cycle is not linear but has a circle evolution, continuing in spiralling up as the client moves from one stage to another. The client may move back and forth at the same thinking pattern level, between the different elements, as they continue to grow and develop. The coach is there to create that space where the client can smoothly navigate on the fine line of the thinking pattern so that the client’s journey is developing on strong awareness moments, moving him/ her one step ahead, challenging the existing connections and interconnection and helps them to reach a new perspective and their aimed potential. That can be just recreating the cycle by fixing the broken links between the elements or creating new awareness that moves the cycle a level up in the spiral.
Solar Coaching can be used with individuals and businesses. It is a very powerful tool for personal and professional development as it is in fact giving the full set of ingredients that create a certain perspective, loop, or reality for the client. In the case of self-coaching, this process can be a significant sidekick for a person engaged in self-development and dedicated to allowing a certain time, pace and reflection throughout the entire process of knowing oneself and generating long-lasting, consistent change. Knowing the process and enriching yourself with the Solar Coaching method is learning a skill and benefiting from it for yourself and for a closer circle (family, friends, work) in a non-commercial way, but rather transforming the relationship with yourself and others to create positive energy, achieve goals or simply become a better human.
Values
The Solar Coaching model begins with values, which are the core principles that guide individuals and businesses. The coach helps the individual or business identify their values and how they can align them with their goals. Values act as a compass, helping individuals and businesses stay focused and motivated.
Emotions
Emotions are an integral part of the coaching process, and the Solar Coaching model recognizes their importance. The coach helps the individual or business explore their emotions, and how they affect their behaviour and decision-making process. By understanding their emotions, individuals and businesses can make more informed choices and create more meaningful connections with others.
Thoughts
Thoughts are the next step in the Solar Coaching model, and they represent the mental patterns that shape an individual’s behaviour, limitations, and perspectives. The coach helps the individual or business identify their negative thought patterns and replace them with positive ones. By changing their thoughts, individuals and businesses can change their behaviour and achieve better outcomes
Behaviour
Behaviours are the actions individuals and businesses take based on their thoughts and emotions. The coach helps the individual or business identify their negative behaviours and replace them with positive ones. By changing their behaviour, individuals and businesses can achieve better outcomes and create more positive relationships.
Actions
Actions represent the investments individuals and businesses make to achieve their goals. The coach helps the individual or business identify the actions they need to take and create a plan to achieve them. By taking action, individuals and businesses can create the momentum they need to achieve their desired outcomes.
Results
Results are the outcomes of the actions individuals and businesses take. The coach helps the individual or business evaluate their results and adjust their actions if necessary. By measuring their results, individuals and businesses can determine if they are making progress towards their goals.
Connecting
Connecting back to values is the final step in the Solar Coaching model, and it represents the process of integrating all the steps into a holistic approach. The coach helps the individual or business connect their values, thoughts, behaviours, actions, and results, and use them as a guide to achieve their goals. By connecting these steps, individuals and businesses can create a sustainable approach to achieving their desired outcomes.
Benefits of Solar Coaching
There are many benefits to Solar Coaching, including:
- It is a holistic approach to coaching that takes into account the client’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs.
- It is a strengths-based approach that focuses on the client’s strengths and potential.
- It is a solution-focused approach that helps the client to find solutions to their problems.
- It is a collaborative approach that involves the client and the coach working together to achieve the client’s goals.
- It is a results-oriented approach that helps the client to achieve their goals.
If you are looking for a coaching approach that is holistic, strengths-based, solution-focused, collaborative, and results-oriented, then Solar Coaching is a good option for you.
Solar Coaching Model as a Powerful Tool
The Solar Coaching model is a powerful tool for individuals and businesses looking to create meaningful change. By using the movements of the universe, the model creates a structured and holistic approach. Growth and development are ongoing processes and self-coaching follows the same path. Learning never stops. But with the right tools and structure, learning can take one to unexpected and unimagined versions of oneself, allowing a deep self-discovery, transformation, connection and life well-lived.