Half Full or Half Empty?
“Fill the glass back up!”
Justin Jones-Fosu
A few weeks ago I attended Justin Jones-Fosu's keynote speech for ICF Imagine (International Coach Federation): How to Change the Rhythms When Rhythms Around You Have Changed? I was surprised when he brought up that dinosaur-old question: Do you see a glass empty or full?
While other colleagues were writing: half full, half full, half full (oops, one says half empty), I began to force myself into what I knew the answer should be. Everyone knows that half full is the correct answer. And just as I was experiencing the swing between shoulds and ought to's, Justin brought another slide with a glass full of water and words: "Fill the Glass Back Up!" And, bam! There it is - paradigm shift, judgment release and empowerment.
In coaching, a perspective shift happens through powerful questions, but questions are not the only way we support clients. Storytelling, deep listening, clarifying, challenging, metta view or metaphors are some approaches a coach uses to shift someone's (usually limiting) beliefs into empowered action.
In mindfulness coaching, both coach and client shift from intellectual to somatic awareness and use silence for deep contemplation. As mindfulness coaches we invest time in practice. We know what it takes to be still, to step out of ego and embrace emotions as messengers of wisdom. Through basic principles of mindfulness we approach each client with the following guidelines:
Equanimity - we are all connected
Acceptance - it is ok to be you
Non-judgment - there is no right and wrong, I see you as you are
Gratitude - there is always a silver lining and
Compassion - may you motivate yourself with kindness instead of criticism
On November 10th Renee Hodgkinson and I will hold an introduction session on how we train coaches to use mindfulness, meditation, inquiry, somatic awareness and global listening through our ICF-accredited program Coaching from Within: Cultivating Mindfulness Practice. The program starts on December 1st and is open to all who have an existing mindfulness practice and want to learn how to add coaching to your personal and professional growth.
Impression
Since I started Coaching From Within, I've seen transformation in how I've been working with my students. The sessions' hands-on approach has encouraged us to delve into coaching practice immediately with guided support. This mentoring and support has been essential to my work as a college counselor. I can see how by applying coaching techniques, my students have been inspired to take action on their own terms. The blend of asynchronous and synchronous learning has also been great for me to maintain my work schedule during the course yet still receive individualized support. Whether it's for career development or personal growth, I highly recommend the course!
Rosalyn Shih, Student-Coach
BMC Coaches
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