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I am ready for spring so I can spring into action. Washington DC has weathered our worst winter, even for those of us who grew up in the snow. Give me Cherry Blossoms. I've completed my first audition tape for Books on Tape and have also taped 30 and 90 second commercials for presentation to two production houses. Next week, I am attending my first Voice Over class. I had no idea how challenging it is to act on tape! On Thursday, March 6th, I stood in line with thousands, who like me, were auditioning for a one-time co-host slot on the Regis show. Although we endured rain, sleet and snow, and a four-hour wait, we gave our best shot in the one-minute interview process, and lost. I learned that when you have one minute to dazzle people, you better have your act together! Staying open to all kinds of possibilities is what brings us a sense of joy and freedom. Peter G. of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services asked me to noodle on a Career Management course that would help employees assess their current skills in a holistic way. I came up with the Art and Science of Career Management, implementing a novel approach that he likes. Peter plans to offer this new course in 2003. For local readers, if you have not already called me to have a free complimentary somatic coaching session, pick up the phone now. Call 202-484-4747. If you are tired of being in a rut at work or at home, or are ready to live congruent with your values and principals somatic bodywork coaching will catapult you to the next level. I especially wish to acknowledge Caroline, from the Army Corps of Engineers, who wrote to suggest I contact the HR office here in DC as they have recently developed an online Coaching and Mentoring guide for managers and supervisors. Caroline thinks enough of my work to take the time to encourage me to market my coaching services to her agency. I also want to send big hugs and prayers of hope to the following great people who are recovering from surgery: Jeff (DISA) and my friend Maureen in Boston. More than ten per cent of my readers responded to my Market Survey regarding offering a new Life Solutions telephone service. Most of the responses were positive, and I am continuing to explore how Life Solutions can best serve customers. For those readers who invited me to present Coaching and Art of Winning programs in your agencies in 2001 when I did my cross- country road tour-- Watch Out--I am gearing up to go on the road again. My plan is to get on the road in June, and stop in wherever I am invited. The benefit to customers is that you don’t have to pay my travel expenses. That is a big cost savings! If you are looking to get unstuck from negative behaviors that limit performance or learn more about coaching as an employee development tool, please contact my office or email me at rpost@coachscorner.com.
Happy Trails, |
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When I watched Sunday Morning (March 2nd) there was a story of young man, Michael Essaney, who hosts a live interview show from his home in Indiana, with his parents as camera crew, and audience. His optimism, commitment, and love for what he does made me laugh and cry. He believes he can eventually take over Jay Leno’s late night-spot. Broadcasting his weekly show from his parent’s dining room to more than 200,000 people nationwide, Michael has stepped into our hearts. He reminds us of some part of ourselves that we know we all possess; that sense of heroism, courage, adventure and joy! Whether he wins or simply places in the competition for late night show host, Michael will win because he stepped up to bat to play. What occurred to me as I watched this episode is how rarely in our own lives do we take on anything with the kind of passion, drive, and persistence that this young man exhibited. I remember my own decision almost two years ago to take a sabbatical, drive across country, to meet and greet readers of my then weekly coaching column for www.govexec.com. It was a great decision. From buying a new car, to driving more than thirteen thousand miles in less than two months, I took an idea and brought it to life, overcoming the obstacles in my path. Not to mention the support I garnered from those who believed in my commitment. At that time my business was slow, my financial resources were limited, yet I knew in my gut that I needed to feel free again, and re-kindle my sense of joy. Road trips have always inspired me. By connecting with others, I would re-connect with myself. How often do we overcome our own judgments to follow through on a dream or passion? Too often we deliberate the idea’s value, benefits, side effects, downsides, literally tearing something apart until we lose the kernel of hope the idea provided. We turn away from ourselves, and turn to others or to any stimulant that will provide us with resolution or escape from the loneliness, anxiety, despair, resignation or boredom that winds its way through our daily activities. Creating A Safe Haven For Inspiration One of the strengths I have cultivated as a Life Solutions coach is the ability to present a question to a client, and to hold the questioning space open for moments, days and sometimes weeks while the client explores for himself or herself, what standing in this space arouses: emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. Rather than push for answers to everyday concerns, often my job is to foster an environment conducive to exploring the questions that arise. When I work with senior executives or business owners, I provide a retreat space, a safe haven where leaders can think. And then act! Do you know how valuable the commodity of thinking, feeling and sensing can be for people who are constantly on the go, bumping into others like water molecules in a boiling pot? I have learned over time that retreating, whether it is a strategic move perpetuated by the need for safety or simply an opportunity for meditation and privacy, provides tremendous value. In this kind of “safe place” people can relinquish control of what they think they need to do or feel or even be. It is in this mode of retreat that inspiration or new ideas can germinate; new ideas do not happen when we are constantly thrust into daily action, whether the action is chauffeuring too many excited kids to soccer games or preparing dinners for our spouses who are working late, or talking on the phone while we respond to hundreds of emails. Retreating is the opportunity to reduce the bombardment to which we constantly react. I have met lots of competent people who know how to deal with bombardment (enemy) and survive. But inspiration is not about survival. In this column I am going to practice holding the space on a couple of questions that I have been ruminating on for several months. As a community of learners, I am requesting that you hold the space with me, and contribute (if you like) your thoughts to this exercise. You can email your ideas to me at rpost@coachscorner.com.
From Inspiration To Action What would it be like if we carved some time and space in our very overworked environments so people can beat a retreat? In spite of the continuous pressure exerted on private and public sector organizations to provide a return on investment for every dollar spent, I keep seeing good money thrown after bad. Training folks and motivated managers recognize that adults learn differently. Subjecting people to one or two-day teamwork or leadership courses does neither a team player nor a leader- produce. I have found that coaching offers clients a chance to retreat, to think in a safe and confidential way with someone who will not judge their ideas, good, bad or indifferent. Our clients complete coaching programs ready to re-commit time, money and energy to their people and to their organizations. Their renewed spirit translates into better products produced, better services offered and more money in the coffer. For more information on coaching benefits, please visit the International Coach Federal website, www.coachfederation.org. I grow tired of trying to convince people that coaching or mentoring really does produce viable results, results that can be evaluated and tracked. If we do not provide a context, and safe place for people to think, observe and practice new strategies, we are limiting our employees’ potential to be inspired. Change does not happen on the battlefield. Sometimes I feel like I’m preaching to the choir in these articles as many Coach’s Corner readers are committed to fostering a satisfied and competent workforce, one where individuals feel that their work makes a difference, that they are paid a fair wage for their labor, where they value the integrity and products/services offered by the organization and one where employees get along with others. We are either providing that kind of workplace or we are not! When you have the chance to walk through a company or department where employees and management are having fun, making money and treating themselves and others with respect, trust and honesty, it is fabulous! In order to cultivate change in our organizations, we have to be willing to be inspired. Though we have a perpetual thrust toward growth and change, we are by nature, content with stability. By exploring what will make us happy, happier or happiest, and then taking the actions needed to create that happiness, we are taking a stand for our own lives. We may have to start in our living rooms! Or if we have lost sight of what inspires us to live and work, why not consider working with a coach or mentor--someone whose commitment to our excellence can propel us from zero to possibility, to triumph. We can ask others to live our lives for us, but that will not get us to the gold. We can sit around the living room and wait for inspiration to hit us on the head. And sometimes that actually happens. But more often than not, we end up waiting out life, waking up at the end, and wondering where all the time went. Glory happens when we take a stand for ourselves and for what we believe. “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but (when) the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). |
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Copyright © 2002-2003 Rhona Post, Post and Associates, 292 M St. SW, DC 20024
