Three lessons from my coaching clients

One of my coaching clients told me he feels overwhelmed by all the work on his to do list. The tasks just keep piling up and he dreads going to work on a Monday because there is never enough time to get everything done.

So we sat down, talked through his list and looked at what he should be working on versus what has crept onto his desk.

After our session he was relieved: “Thanks for helping me ruthlessly question why I do some of these things. A bunch of them aren't my responsibility and some don't need to be done at all.”

The Challenge

There are areas in your professional life that you know need to change, but you’re not sure where to start.

The Solution

Ask for help and an outside perspective.

Here are three more examples from my coaching clients. All of these examples are things people achieved in just a single conversation.

Don’t keep your expertise a secret

One client said he would like to do more public speaking to share his knowledge and expertise on the topics he’s passionate about. He is a known expert in his niche and wasn’t sure why companies weren’t approaching him for speaking engagements.

The Aha Moment: He hadn’t actually told anyone that he was available for speaking engagements and hadn’t made any mention of it on his LinkedIn profile. Once we spoke about this, he had a clear and simple solution: tell people.

Get a brainstorming partner

A long-standing client decided to explore ideas for her side-business and shared what she had planned. Together we came up with another dozen things, including products, services, marketing campaigns, and promotions she could test.

The Aha Moment: My client came with a solid plan and recognised that launching her products and services could be done with a more refined approach than she initially planned. This means she can promote her offering to the right audience at the right time, instead of hoping they would simply show up and make purchases.

See yourself in a new light

When speaking to a new client we went deeper into the challenges and questions he shared during our initial meeting. I shared some positive observations about how he came across in this first coaching session. He had made a really strong impression on me in the way he spoke and answered questions.

The Aha Moment: Hearing my perspective on his situation and his potential opportunities was an outside view that helped my client put his strengths and soft skills into words more effectively.

The Next Step

Do you have people around you - at work or among your family and friends - who can be your sounding board? If so, ask them for their opinions and discuss the challenges you’re facing. Chances are, they can at least give you some ideas to consider.

Even just saying things out loud can be helpful for you to see your situation more clearly.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to those around you, get professional help. It can be transformational.

Coaches are there to support you to figure out what’s next. I’ve been working with coaches myself for several years and the clarity this brings always helps.

If you’re curious about career coaching in particular, let me know by replying to this email and I’m happy to share more information on how we can work together and how I can help you tackle those career challenges, gain clarity, and make your next move.

Have a great week!

Eva