I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again:
Coaching is the most powerful career on the planet.
Now I know most people think being the President or holding some political office is the most powerful. Sure, there’s a certain kind of power there.
Let’s skip politics for now though, shall we? 😉
I’m talking about a different kind of power. The type of power I’m talking about is not about controlling, it’s about transforming.
The power to transform…
Transform sickness into health and well-being
Transform challenges into breakthroughs
Transform self-doubt into self-confidence
Transform fear into love
Transform pain into happiness
The list goes on and on.
All this transformation stuff may be meaningless to you unless you’ve experienced what I’m talking about, so let me explain….
The reason I believe coaching is the most powerful career on the planet is because of one little tool.
The mirror.
Not an actual mirror for checking yourself before you post your next selfie 🙂
The mirror I’m talking about is an invisible tool that’s a part of every coaching session, you may not even know it’s there.
Until you become aware of it. Then you realize it’s always been there.
The mirror is simply the idea that whatever you need to work on is literally staring you right in the face.
Now, that sounds simple, but it’s actually has a cool catch to it that makes it doubly-powerful.
It works for both the client and the coach.
Which means both people get to transform at the same time.
For the client, who has a certain struggle they want to overcome, the answer is usually right in front of them. But they can’t always see it. That’s where a powerful coach trained in CORE Coaching can help big time.
The coach helps to peel back the layers of the onion, so to speak, and the client becomes empowered to take the next step toward their goal.
Where it gets the double-whammy and why coaching is my all-time fav’ career… as the coach, your client is your own mirror. Your clients often present with something you need to be working on for yourself.
I’ve heard coaches tell me this story many times so I know it’s true. And I’ve experienced it myself hundreds of times over the last decade.
Now here’s where this gets dicey…
Most coaches feel like they have to be the expert and the guru. They have to know everything and be perfect for their clients.
So they don’t allow themselves to see the mirror.
Because that would mean being vulnerable and admitting they have their own stuff to work on.
And you’re supposed to be smarter than your clients, right? You’re supposed to have it all figured out, right?
Wrong.
Coaching is not about being the expert or the guru. It’s about being the guide.
Guides get to be vulnerable and share real experiences that empower others.
Real experiences are more empowering than facts and figures.
Vulnerable is the new “I’ve got this figured out.”
And it’s more important than ever before. Vulnerability changes lives.
Case in point…
Last week I had the opportunity to coach one of our IAWP Wellness Coach grads who is rocking her coaching business. The coach, who was being my “coaching client” in this case, wanted to work on sharing her message more authentically. She felt she couldn’t share her true story with her clients because they might judge her or wonder why she wasn’t perfect yet.
We’re so hard on ourselves, aren’t we?
It all came down to vulnerability.
Would people still like her if she showed her true self?
Now here’s the double-whammy. I’ve seen that I need to work on my own vulnerability.
In fact, it’s part of my mission for 2018.
What more can I share with the world? What more do I need to say to authentically be myself and inspire you?
Which is why if you’ve been reading my emails, you’re starting to learn more and more about me personally.
I’m hoping my life lessons will be helpful to you in some way.
Do I fear you might not like some of them?
Yep.
Am I going to keep sharing anyway? Yep.
But that’s the beauty of vulnerability. Not everyone is going to like it.
But those who do like it, won’t just like it, they’ll love it.
So for both me and my coach-client, we’re leaning into vulnerability even if it’s scary.
And we both got to experience some healing simultaneously with the Magic of the Mirror.
Not many careers where you get a two-for-one like that.
So, yes, I stand by it – coaching is the most powerful career on the planet.
If you agree, share this post and join the conversation.
Love, Health and Success,
Suzanne Monroe | Founder
The International Association of Wellness Professionals
