HSP and Creativity
Posted on October 22, 2007 in the A Quote category
“The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:
A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.To him…
a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create —— so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating.”
—Pearl S. Buck
A Breakthrough
Posted on October 16, 2007 in the In General category
So, I’ve finally discovered my coaching niche. Which is why I’m changing my blog title. Having found that I’m a highly sensitive person, or HSP, I guess my niche kind of just piggybacked on that realization. Because even though any good coach could coach a highly sensitive person, it’s my belief that it takes another HSP to coach the high sensitivity itself.
This is just another example of how having a coach moves you forward. Thanks to my peer coach for enthusing me into exploring this trait!
The Art of Effective Feedback
Posted on June 8, 2007 in the Foundation, In Class, ICA category
On Tuesday’s call, Karen Cappello guided us through the key points of Effective Feedback. Karen is very good at getting people to share their experiences and join the discussion. I mean, I almost joined in at one point, which would be a first. Well, it will happen soon enough, I’m just not ready yet.
I was pleased when Karen straightened out a flaw in the course material that has bugged me ever since I read it for the first time last November. There’s an example of supposedly effective feedback that goes like this:
Coach: “I have noticed that you are not returning your coaching forms. Furthermore, you are calling in late and you lack commitment to taking action. It is my observation that this is not a good time for you to be coached.”
In my ears, both ‘you lack commitment’ and ‘this is not a good time for you to be coached’ sound like opinions and, what’s worse, even judgmental ones.
Anyway. The line between effective and ineffective feedback can be a fine one and yet so easy to stumble on. I feel this occasionally in my own personal relationships. What our loved ones think of us really matters, and sometimes even the most objective feedback may hurt.
I believe the reason for this is that whatever people tell us (about us), it will always be sent through an ‘interperative filter’ in our mind, and what we ultimately hear is deeply affected by our own self-image. And somehow this filter is more effective when used on feedback from people that are important to us.
Obviously, some people’s filters are less restrictive than others… Even though I might coach friends and family on some issues, this is not one of them. And I should probably be looking at my own limiting beliefs first anyway. 
Creating Action
Posted on June 6, 2007 in the Advanced I, In Class, ICA category
The topic of Monday’s class with Ton de Graaf was Creating Action. Now, before it’s even possible to encourage anyone to take action towards their goals, they have to be really committed to the desired outcome, and the discussion in class made it clear how important this is.
One student shared the story of how she had tried to lose weight and how difficult it was for her to get results when deep inside she wasn’t that attached to her goal. She was actually quite comfortable with her body and didn’t really feel the need to change.
Which, by the way, is great!
But, being part of a family where diseases related to overweight (like diabetes) were just too common, she knew she had to drop a few kilos. She just didn’t have the drive.
The great part of it was, that as soon as she connected emotionally with the reason for reaching her goal, she made great progress almost immediately.
The reason, BTW, came to her in the form of a nightmarish dream. Thanks A., for sharing your story!
Insanity
Posted on June 3, 2007 in the Just a Thought... category
The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over, and still expecting to get a different result.
Excellent observation. Who said that, anyway?
How often have we not complained about never having enough money, enough time, never getting enough exercise, always gaining weight etc., while all the time the real problem is that we forget to change our approach when things don’t go our way.
But, know what? That’s why we have coaches! 
Tight Schedule
Posted on June 3, 2007 in the ICA category
I’ve been planning my next year with ICA, and boy will I be busy! For reasons that will not be revealed at this point, I’d like to graduate in June 2008, which means I’m in a hurry. I’ve joined the Certified Professional Coach Program (CPCP), and have a look at the content:
- Foundation Coach - 12 classes
- Advanced Coach I - 32 classes
- Advanced Coach II - 27 classes
- Power Tools - 16 classes
- Coaching Practicum - 12 classes
- Business Building Coach - 12 classes
- Supervised Coaching - 12 classes
That’s a total of 123 1-hour classes! In addition to all this, I will be coached by a fellow student for at least 12 sessions, and I will need to give 5 clients a minimum of 12 hours of coaching - each!
Well, I’d like to finish most teleclasses before christmas, so I know what I’ll be doing for the next 6 months - starting Monday, with 2 classes this coming week. I’ll keep you posted. 
Finally!
Posted on June 2, 2007 in the ICA category
Creating a blog can be surprisingly time-consuming, but finally, finally I made it.
As part of my studies with International Coach Academy (ICA), I’m required to keep a journal or a blog. I chose a blog, since I wanted to set one up anyway, and here it is.
Focus will, naturally, be on coaching, and my journey towards becoming a (great) life coach.