A Luxurious Discipline
At first glance you may think that the words “luxury” and “discipline” do not pair well together. Disciplines tend to be thought of as somewhat hard or uncomfortable habits we must develop and adhere to, while luxury has to do with wealth, pleasure or comfort.
Coaching is both, at the same time. This is one of the many reasons I love coaching. Let’s first take a look at some of the ways in which coaching is a discipline:
Coaching harnesses the power of relational accountability. You have regular meetings where you report on your progress in areas such as working toward your vision and goals or developing your leadership skills.
Coaching is work that only you can do. It is a little like hiring an exercise trainer in this way: A trainer will assist you with the exercise process itself, provide you with accountability and help you connect with your motivation when the going gets tough. But a trainer cannot do a single workout on your behalf. The hard work is yours and only yours, but the great results and benefits belong fully and only to you.
Your coach will ask you to identify what is most important to you, and encourage you to live and work in alignment with what matters most to you. In essence, that’s living from a place of integrity. In dictionary speak, integrity has to do with “moral or ethical strength, honesty, character, and principle.” Of course you have a nuanced definition of what it means to live by your “true north.” Articulating that will help you stay clear on what you’re aiming for.
Now let’s explore some of the ways in which coaching is a luxury:
Coaching is about YOU, and you alone. Coaching is a unique experience in that the power of the partnership is fully focused on your behalf. It explores who you are, who you are becoming, and how you can lean into the future that you desire.
Coaches love people, believe in people, and believe in their potential. Period! Your coach believes in you and is for you. Whether you are struggling with direction and clarity or struggling to live out a vision that is difficult for others to see, you will have at least one champion in your corner for as long as you have a coach!
Coaching sessions are your own personal space and time. The environment is shaped by you and your coach to foster growth and creativity. One coaching session might look like a safe lab in which to develop and live into new beliefs and concepts or practice new skills. Another session may be more akin to sitting in a comfortable armchair to sort out some tangled thoughts, or to come back home to your main mission and priorities. Because you as the client drive the agenda, you can decide where each coaching conversation needs to go.
I hope I have painted a clear enough picture to showcase at least a few aspects of the luxurious discipline of coaching. Cheers to you, and to a future of growth and development that is both fruitful and rewarding!
