The following is the first installment in a weekly series of reflections from one of our learners in the Coaching Foundation program. Each week, Silvester will recap his personal experience to give insight into what it’s like to become a life coach. If you’re ready to start your journey in coaching, please get in touch. We’re here to help.
Hello everyone,
I am Silvester Jacob, a student in Smita and Tracy’s Life Coaching Foundation Course. This blog is a journal where I will share my journey through the course with you.
Today, I took the first step in my journey. I was nervous and excited at the same time or in the words of Tracy, “I am nervous because of excitement.” These words aptly described the way I felt before the session. I was and am excited about all the possibilities that will open for me at the end of this course.
The First of Three:
Before the session began, we undertook a self-reflection exercise. It was called the “Universe Questions” and included 5 questions that were eye-openers for me. It helps you realise why you are here and helps you understand and create a bond with people who will be impacted, affected, and the people supporting you throughout this journey.
So…there I was, in a virtual classroom thanks to Gods of Zoom, facing many unfamiliar faces. As everyone started introducing themselves, I realised that I was not the only one feeling nervous, and it’s only natural to feel the way we feel. Also, Tracy and Smita did a great job to put us at ease by sharing their vulnerabilities and feelings—so that helped!
The first session began with us and the trainers sharing our answers to Universe Questions with others. It was both a revealing and a reflective experience, and helped us understand how similar we were to each other (or at least our goals were). Tracy shared how the training experience is a lot like a gifting circle where both the trainers and learners share their experiences and enrich each other in the process. It was a very beautiful and grounded thought that showed us that we are on this journey together. Smita also shared something very thought-provoking. It was a line from the epic of Bhagvat Gita:
“Watch yourself as if you don’t know yourself”—this hit me in ways that cannot be described in words.
The Second of Three:
In the second session, we discussed the coaching philosophies of Coacharya, what is and isn’t coaching, and the coaching relationship. I like how Tracy and Smita held space during the session. They would ask questions and listen with intent and make us participate by using the power of ‘the pause’. The interaction helped us understand the concepts better and when needed, they would explain.
The Third of Three:
Finally, it was time for the last session of the day. In it, we discussed the types of coaching and coaching conversations. Tracy explained the different types of coaching and how all of them can cumulate into life coaching. She explained to us how life coaching can transform into leadership coaching. This also helped us understand how coaching – be it individual, team, or group coaching – can be relevant in our daily lives, and not just in the corporate world. Smita, later on, talked about the coaching conversation and different aspects of it and the role of presence, unconditional positive regard, and humble curiosity. We also learned about congruence and reaching an agreement and its importance in the coaching space.
To sum it all up it was a wonderful experience and I am sure it will continue to be so. I am all excited for the coming weeks and I will be here sharing my journey with you.
Have fun and be safe, speak soon!
