Self Coaching – Lessons Learned

This year I’ve consciously developed my self coaching ability. I’ve always been quite good at it mentally, but this year was a bit different – I kept a journal, using it for planning my days & weeks, and for reflecting on lessons learned and big wins. No more random or semi-organised lists in many places. No more endless purchases of attractive notebooks (I have loads of those as yet unwritten in #stationery addict!). Some real organisation in my life, something to really keep me organised and moving forward, and most importantly for me to reflect daily on progress..

I was introduced to a great system by a close friend, and started seriously focussing on using it in March this year.

It was meant to be a 13 week set-up, with intense goal planning at the start, and weekly and daily review of progress. Well guess what – it took 26 weeks to complete by the time I left out procrastination days, time out, and days where quite honestly it just slipped.

Last week I finished that first book, and have gone back through looking at the lessons learned that I’d recorded, some big wins, and some real eye-openers about my own journey this year.

I thought I’d share some of them here, a record of what I’ve learned, a good piece of reflection for a Sunday morning. Writing it all down again really helps to reinforce, and in great personal coaching means I’m more likely to remember and act on things.

My Biggest & Best Lessons Learned

March

• That I need to be better at managing curveballs – emotionally & mentally !
• How much I love presenting, even at short notice with no preparation.
• To take time EVERY day to plan – it works

April

• Networking works – not once or twice, but many times, building relationships not business cards
• Social Media needs effort & time – and practise

May

• How powerful the internet is – unending resources, learning and resources
• Use smaller blocks of time to plan daily activities makes me loads more productive – and motivated

June

• Spontaneity is awesome – a personal one here, but it really effected me at the time, and makes me appreciate what an important part of me it is.
• Facilitating takes all 6 leadership styles – even when that’s the very topic you’re coaching a team about

July

• How good it feels to get over BIG milestones – such satisfaction.
• Every day is a new day – so important to remember this.

August

• Don’t overcommit on difficult days
• Mindset matters – a very significant one for me this year, one that has got me through some real challenges.

September

• Patience is a virtue
• People (friends, colleagues, acquaintances) – they really do notice when things aren’t right – learn to lean on them more

What I’m Taking from All This

It’s been an interesting morning, with some great personal reflection reading back through 6 months, and then deciding to go public with some of my personal lessons.

I’m reminding myself that we’re all on a journey, and that every day is a new day.