What is coaching?
Coaching is a cocreative process that generates transformational conversations!
The International Coach Federation (ICF) defines coaching as, "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential".
Professionally qualified coaches are trained to listen, to observe, ask thought-provoking and challenging questions, provide honest feedback and from there to customize their approach to their clients specific needs.
Competent experienced coaches take that process further with their passion and intent to further identify what I call those necessary connections in life to help clients become aware of, then transform (move beyond) their lives with that awareness.
For example, my model and approach is to help you identify those boxes, trains of thought, paradigms - whatever way you would like to define them, to help you at the very least, to become aware of how they impact your life - both positively and negatively.
Building rapport and establishing trust is of paramount importance. Coaching is a partnership. I understand the importance of cocreation and collaboration in the coaching relationship.
I work with you to assist you on your personal/spiritual/professional/ and/or career journey through life. I do this by supporting, challenging, and creating an environment where you can share your thoughts in a safe, non judgemental and strictly confidential place.
This process is incredibly life affirming and powerful. This guidance and process enables you, the client, to move towards a better understanding of yourself.
As a result you will develop more confidence, identify further options in your life, think differently, try out new skills, and gain a much greater sense and awareness of self worth.
In other words, you start understanding that you are much more than what you thought you were as we identify those things that may be sticking points in your life. By that I mean those blind spots, beliefs and values that may be holding you back from experiencing who it is you really are - or are aspiring to be.
It is by definition - Life Transformation Coaching. I also refer to it as Personal Freedom Coaching - its about you releasing yourself from those things that hold you back from the best expression of yourself and your life.
How does coaching differ from consulting?
Professional coaching is a distinct service focusing on the client, who is regarded as creative, resourceful and whole. A coach may work with clients to determine goals, create outcomes and manage personal change while keeping the client accountable to his own vision. Consultants are retained to access specialized expertise. The assumption is that a consultant diagnoses problems, tells the client what to do and how to do it and may implement solutions. Coaching works from the belief and knowing that the client is already functional and in fact capable of accessing their own inner abilities and talents to transform their lives. In other words coaching is interested in transforming functional people to exceptional people. So in a nutshell, consulting then is about advising people.
How is coaching different from mentoring?
A mentor is a guide, a teacher, a guru, a trusted confidante perhaps who directs and teaches you and provides you with the information you seek or are required to have. The mentor is seen as the expert, the holder of knowledge so to speak.
The relationship is again different to that of the consultant or the counselor or therapist.
The coach sees you as the expert, you as the resourceful person and sees you as your source of wisdom and information.
How is coaching different from counseling and therapy?
Counseling and therapy address the past. That is, its about healing pain, dysfunction and conflict within an individual or within relationships.
Coaching is based on the now - in the present. It is progressive, forward-moving, and future-focused.
Coaching views clients as functional, creative, resourceful, and whole individuals exploring what is possible for them in their life as they aspire to transform their life and get more out of it.
In simple terms, therapy and counseling is more aligned to get dysfunctional people to a state of being functional.
In direct comparison, coaching is taking functional people towards being exceptional people.
How do I determine if coaching is the right approach for me?
Coaching is an effective way to jump-start your personal, spiritual and professional development. Being open to the learning process is the first step in your personal journey towards your best expression of yourself.
There's no time like the present to receive assistance to enhance your performance. Whether it's adapting to change, identifying your next career step or addressing performance challenges, my approach is to focus on you. This experience leads to a more positive and clearer sense of direction and appreciation of who it is you are.
You will live with a greater awareness and appreciation of those areas you need to further develop and manage, and those areas you have totally transformed. in your life.
"In the end what really matters is your ability to go beyond your self imposed limitations and beliefs to experience who you really are."
- Craig W Hedge.
Are you prepared and ready to start the coaching partnership?
The coaching partnership requires a commitment to the process. You will need to invest your time into this experience, and have a genuine willingness to work and cocreate with me with a can do attitude and mindset.
Be prepared to challenge your pre-conceived ideas about yourself and your life - and be open to change. I recommend clients at times to suspend their disbelief - even momentarily. When it comes to moving through those sticking points or areas they are not yet fully appreciative of or aware of that may be holding them back in life, its incredibly important to be open to identifying those things.
How often would we meet for coaching?
Coaching sessions are tailored and delivered to meet your individual needs. Every person is different. This is about you - not about me.
12 sessions is the usual course of action for many of my clients. However that is not necessary at all. Some people have 1 session and find that is adequate for them.
At a minimum, for me to really help you to make some lasting change in your life, I would recommend at least 3-4 sessions. Face-to-face meetings (depending on location as although I am based in Tasmania Australia I work globally and regularly travel) usually occur initially, however many of my clients prefer skype and or email communications following the initial face to face meeting.
Sessions can be booked at any interval (I recommend no more than 2 sessions a week as that enables you to work on those areas in between sessions and enables us to look at your results and how you are initiating change) and are typically an hour in length.
1 session a week is usually a good time frame to work with. That said, you choose what is best for you.
I also have a number of other options for my clients to ensure they can get the very best value and service to suit their needs and circumstances. This includes longer sessions, shorter sessions, my tailored speed coaching prep sessions, and of course my email and skype sessions as well.
Importantly, I am here as your personal life transformation coach. I take that role and responsibility very seriously and genuinely take an interest in your further development both during and beyond our time together.
I am a coach through choice and passion. It is part of the way I choose to life my life. I love to help others help themselves and to further develop themselves.
It's with a greater sense of self and awareness that people can improve the quality of their lives and their relationships.
Craig W. Hedge is a professional coach, and is author of the Instinctive Living self help transformational ebook and audiobook series.
He lives in Hobart Tasmania
Website
"I help people identify their strengths, build confidence, & find new ways to live & love their lives."