The importance of focus is not unique to the workplace. Being a loving parent, partner, carer to a family member or a loyal friend can be a person’s greatest achievement. Many of us are passionate about a hobby, a community group or a club to which we belong. The desire to brave the unknown by travelling to far off lands and encounter new cultures can dominate our ambitions. The arts, sport, whatever it might be – there is much that an individual wants from their life which does not originate at the workplace.
However, how many of us talk of these pursuits as if they are dreams? By increasing our focus, we are much more likely to be able to obtain what we want out of life. By doing so, we can achieve a sense of fulfilment. We are then living the life that we want to live. We are where we want to be, with the people we want to be with, doing what we want to be doing. Amid the demands of modern living, this does not always seem attainable.
The phrase ‘work-life balance’ has become a much sought after aspiration. It also appears to evade many of us. What happens, however, if we instead choose to focus on that which will give us fulfilment? We are then not trying to balance what feels like two opposing problems. Instead we are vetting how we choose to spend our time and energy against the question: will this make me feel fulfilled? Work and life are then not distinct and conflicting entities; they are parts of the whole which must be considered in its entirety if we are to fully understand how best to spend the valuable and limited time and energy we have.
Coaching helps to sift through the pressures of what an individual thinks they should be doing and what others expect of them. Coaching supports the individual to step back and take a hard look at the extent to which they are going through the motions, tolerating more than they would like to, or exhausting their energies on pursuits that are not meaningful to them. Challenging questions expose the reality of how much a person is actually living out their deeply held values and the experiences that they find most fulfilling. Through coaching the individual can create direction and clarity as they emerge in a clearing, able to see what has authentic and genuine meaning for them personally. They are then able to focus on what they need to feel happy and fulfilled. They can take determined ownership of what they choose to say ‘yes’ to, and what they will confidently say ‘no’ to.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” —Mahatma Gandhi
“If you look to others for fulfilment, you will never be truly fulfilled.” Laozi, Chinese Philosopher, 6th Century BC
Make It So Coaching provides a structured and constructive space to step back and identify the realities of the life you are living. Coaching is an invaluable opportunity to take stock and assess whether you are living out your values and priorities, or, being derailed and distracted by other people’s agendas. Coaching challenges you to confront what is happening for you: are you doing enough of the things that give you fulfilment? Working through how to break the cycle in order to do more of what you want and need to do, and less of that which is misplaced energy and effort is the beauty of coaching. Coaching increases self-awareness and ignites meaningful motivation to stay focused, take action, make necessary changes, and live your best life.
