‘Listen as Your Day Unfolds’
There was one young lad in particular. Always getting into trouble, obviously neglected at home, never really clean, holes in his clothes and shoes, always hungry. I took a special interest in him as he intrigued me. There was something about him that I knew was just waiting for the right spark to light him up. I decided that before the end of the academic year he would be reading. I took in some of my favourite Dr Seuss books as they are full of simple words, well-illustrated and beautifully rhythmic and rhyming. Even though he sometimes rebelled, I persisted. Bit by bit he started to read, and then all of a sudden, he started to write. Simple stuff at first, but soon he was producing really funny short poems. That young lad is now an actor, a TV star and a poet.
From little acorns, mighty oaks can grow.‘Challenge What the Future Holds’
I used to think that as you got older, you got wiser, and therefore less optimistic and perhaps more cynical. But this isn’t true. Why should we grow out of our dreams? Why can’t we grow into them? I’m finding that as I get older, the wisdom and experiences I’ve gained over the years are allowing me to dream bigger and brighter. I’m not letting them go. My dreams are, in fact, getting more ambitious with a greater urgency to see them fulfilled.
I’m at an age when most of my friends are ‘happily’ retired, but bored. I’m planning to retire at Easter next year but with no intention to put my feet up and watch day time television. I’m going to be building a coaching academy to deliver relationship coaching as widely as possible.
The recent pandemic has shown us how fragile relationships can be when under stress and there is an increasing need for more relationship coaches. The sky is the limit.
‘Time Asks No Questions: It Goes On Without You’
Maybe we should stop calling ourselves dreamers and instead announce to the world what our dreams really are, and how we are going to make them happen. Whatever your future may seem to hold in the present, you can challenge – and thus change – that future by taking action now. Know that you have the power to design your life and your career the way you want. Take a deep breath and take control.
Homer says ‘I know not what the future holds, but I know what holds the future’. The future holds challenges and opportunities, if we know where to lookWe must rise to every challenge and grab every opportunity with both hands. I currently work in the University sector and we are being faced with many challenges.. Some of us will see these challenges as opportunities.
We must adapt and change to a time when knowledge becomes innate, when education isn’t about learning things. Even the most exceptional educators have no time to rest on their laurels. The pandemic has, for the first time, allowed students to follow their natural circadian rhythms and to sequence their learning in ways hitherto ignored. No longer are teenagers forced to start school early in the morning but can do so when they are ready to work optimally.
In a similar way, coaching delivery has had to change. No longer is it possible to work face-to-face. Technology advancements mean that we can now be virtually in the same space to coach.
Group coaching can be delivered more effectively using break-out rooms for small discussion sets where the coach can ‘visit’ rooms to offer support. Technology is giving coaches the opportunity to hone their communication skills by learning more about reading facial expressions and body language; breaking down boundaries, active listening. With note-taking technology, we can give our full attention to the client and let technology take a comprehensive set of case notes.
‘Love Will Save the Day’
As coaches, we must help people find their passion, and purpose and how to pursue their potential. In doing so, we can change their lives and their world. Without this, there will be no change. We must not be tricked into thinking that we can’t make a difference or that we don’t have much of an impact or our sphere of influence is small. That is not true.
We may work with one person but the positive effects on that one person rub off on their partners, their children, their work colleagues, their community. Bringing out the passion and purpose in someone can impact beyond our, or their, wildest dreams. I have witnessed first-hand the effects of passion mapping on my clients. Many of my clients are going through the trauma of breakup or divorce. Working with them to develop a passion map gives them renewed hope, vision and clarity.
Coaching has a big ripple effect. We don’t always see it, but it’s there.
Sue Palmer-Conn
Chartered Psychologist, Certified Master Health and Wellness Coach, Certified Divorce Coach, Certified Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach yadder, yadder yadder! Ok, so Ive got qualifications but it’s not that that makes me a great, not even a good, coach. I’ve got passion, curiosity, intuition. I’ve reinvented myself every time one of life’s challenges came and slapped me in the face. Now I love nothing more than witnessing the transformations of my clients when they realise there is a wonderful life after divorce, even after 50.
Sue Palmer-Conn
Chartered Psychologist, Certified Master Health and Wellness Coach, Certified Divorce Coach, Certified Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach yadder, yadder yadder! Ok, so Ive got qualifications but it’s not that that makes me a great, not even a good, coach. I’ve got passion, curiosity, intuition. I’ve reinvented myself every time one of life’s challenges came and slapped me in the face. Now I love nothing more than witnessing the transformations of my clients when they realise there is a wonderful life after divorce, even after 50.
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