Tuesday, October 31. 2006
Time vs. Timing
As coaches we see clients grappling
with time, and may struggle with it ourselves. But beneath our ambivalent
relationship with time is a more powerful dimension—that of
timing. Timing is about the natural sequence of things;
about noticing and waiting and taking action when the time is right.
Timing is best accessed through our intuition. When we quiet our thoughts, temporarily disengage from time, and tune into our natural rhythm, we benefit in several ways:
In our sessions. Timing in a coaching call helps you know
when to ask the right questions; when to use silence to go deeper;
or when your client is ready to take action.
In our businesses. New coaches often try to employ
all marketing tools, all at once. This leads to overwhelm and suboptimal
results. Instead, try asking, "What's the next best step for
me right now?" Timing helps you know when to let go of difficult
clients, expand your niche, or seek more credentials. It allows
you to relax as your business ebbs and flows over time.
In
our lives. By understanding timing, we realize we can control
our paddles but not the river. Circumstances change and we know
when to throw ourselves into our work, and when to put family and
friends first. Awareness of
timing helps us more gracefully shift through the multifarious phases
of our lives.
So as you adjust to an earlier twilight, think about how timing works in your business and your life, and how you can step into better rhythm with both.
Sue
Brundege is a Mentor Coach and Trainer for CTA's Certified
Coach Program. In her private practice she works with mid-career
professionals who long to find the work they're meant to do.
Wednesday, October 25. 2006
Slowing Down
On the highway, a car zooms up behind and rides right on my tail a while. I send the driver a telepathic message: Move away from me! Suddenly, the car accelerates, just missing my fender, darts into the next lane and jumps through traffic, like the highway is a chessboard. Anxiety floods through me. Two minutes later when I come to the stop light at the off ramp, there’s the same car, waiting just like me. Now, we’re both wired up, adrenals pumping, wasting life energy for nothing.
A Feverish State of Mind
I used to drive like that too. These days I work at home. I drive mindfully. But what about the way I drive myself through my life? I’m often reckless with myself, pushing hard, boosting my energy up into overdrive the moment I roll out of bed. And, it’s not as if it does any good. I don’t accomplish any more by working myself into a feverish state. It leaves me older, frailer and sadder.
Less Stress
On our wedding anniversary, my husband & I talked about how we’d like our life to be different. It came down to one thing – less stress. That would mean more joy, prosperity – because we’d be alive in the moment rather than pushing for some unseen future. We’re clear about this; it doesn’t mean we’ll stop accomplishing our dreams. Instead, we’ll make the journey with more mindfulness, letting ourselves be nourished by experiencing our lives rather than pushing through them.
The Sane Pace
So, I’ve been seeking my sane pace – the one where my body moves in rhythm with the earth instead of my mind driving me toward the next objective. It begins with the first thought upon waking. I stop my mind from racing into my to-do list and slow to simply noticing my body, the light, the air, the sounds. I breathe. Somehow time expands.
There are all sorts of practices to set the sane pace. What seems to work best is entraining the mind with the body. Anything done mindfully in accordance with your body’s natural rhythm will be supportive – yoga, meditation, journaling, taking a walk, deep breathing. Some days you’ll have more vigor, some days you won’t feel well. These are natural rhythms. Let your body lead.
An Experiment
Try this out. Take one day and decide to move through it at a sane pace. Entrain your mind to follow the rhythm of your body. Start off with mindfulness and movement. When you eat, take in the nourishment. With each thing you do, whether brushing your teeth, driving to work or spending time with your kids, be there in the moment. Now, do that again tomorrow. After a week, look back and see how you’ve accomplished at least as much as you would have by driving yourself, but now you have reserves of peace and joy.Copyright ©2005, Bubbling Well – Rhonda Hess
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Coaching from Center is published bi-weekly on the 2nd and 4th weeks each month by Rhonda Hess of Bubbling Well, providing mentor coaching to professional coaches.
Comments
Sat, 11.08.2008 14:46
My favorite quote is... "If your sea chart doesn't match reality, go with reality." Old Mariner saying. :)Comments ()
Sun, 10.26.2008 12:43
Great Insight! I really found the tools and techniques Helpf ul - Thank You!Comments ()
Fri, 07.18.2008 14:22
Overwhelm-induced intertia! I 've never heard it put quite l ike that - but you can bet I'v e experienced it! Every [...]Comments ()
Sat, 06.21.2008 21:33
Darlene, I couldn't agree w ith you more. It is so importa nt to help these kids realize that they can do anythin [...]Comments ()
Sun, 05.18.2008 17:40
I happened upon your blog by c hance, but can never pass up a n opportunity to talk about go als. I agree that resol [...]Comments ()