Walk With Wayne | Newsletter

...Share the Journey ...Retrieve your Self

November 2003 Vol. 1, No. 2

A Monthly Newsletter Published and Created by Wayne Peacock
©2003 Wayne Peacock. All rights reserved.

Dear Friends

It is a passion of mine to share the experiences and learning's of my life. In that context, it is a profound pleasure to shine a light on the magic of co-active coaching, a post retirement career I began in earnest 30 months ago. I'll do so in a regular column appropriately named Wayne's Words.

A few words of background may help. I discovered co-active coaching in April 2001. Over the following year of training and practice with The Coaches Training Institute (CTI), I completed my professional qualifications and achieved a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) designation. What I discovered about the CTI co-active coaching model was that when a coach and client work together for the purpose of creating a better life for the client, magic happens. Further, with a mutual commitment to the coaching relationship, and a dose of courage, clients found their dreams becoming reality.

The purpose of this Wayne's Words column is to share real life examples of what's possible when humans dare to dream and then courageously begin to assume full responsibility and ownership for creating the life they want.

I have a request of you. As you read the following real life story of a professional in transition, which is my primary area of coaching focus, consider passing on this newsletter to those in your life who might want to share the journey as they navigate through transitions. I would be very grateful for spreading the word, so to speak.

Wayne's Words

When Peter and I began our coaching relationship, he was not a happy camper. At the core was a 25-year career gone sour. He felt undervalued, under used and perhaps, tolerated. As a result, Peter was filled with insecurity and bitterness at the course of events. The formerly open and friendly guy had turned inward on himself and often resorted to blaming the company and others for his situation. He was stuck, wanting out, but feeling helpless to take action.

I began by listening with considerable curiosity to Peter's story. It didn't take long for Peter to realize what it felt like to be the sole focus of the coaching. It was all about him and he found the absence of judgment and fixing a refreshing balm.

One of the first pieces of homework for Peter was to write about what a perfect day would be for him. This had the effect of shifting his awareness from what was keeping him stuck to the places where he loved being alive, i.e. what was fulfilling for him. Peter saw that he had a choice as to where he placed his awareness.

We explored the possibility of making his current situation a success by adopting a different perspective about the job. To his credit, Peter gave this way of looking at his situation due consideration but in the end, his heart was telling him he needed a fresh start. And, from that moment on it was no longer a question of What, but How and When. At this point I offered an opinion that there was only one way to complete a 25-year career and that was to rise above his emotions, realize all of the gifts he had received over the 25 years and deal openly and honestly with his management. In fact, Peter spent a week listing all of the things he was grateful for. It was extremely revealing and put things in a healthy perspective.

Soon Peter scheduled the necessary conversations about his desire to call it a day and move forward with his life. Not many days later he made the call from the place of respect and was instantly relieved by how well he was received. A termination date was agreed and Peter was able to leave with a good feeling all around.

Along the six-month path, Peter had completed a powerful exercise; that of listing all of the things in his life he would be saying No to and all those he was saying Yes to in the future.

These lists served as a foundation for his letting go of a past that wasn't working and as the setting of a high bar for the future; a future where Peter would reclaim his old self.

With his 9-5 career in the rear view mirror, Peter's attention shifted to finding his new place in the world of infinite possibilities. We brainstormed different places to look and different resources to explore. Steadily, Peter's love of life returned and a sense of peacefulness set in. Self-reliance was everywhere. As exciting new options were being explored our coaching relationship ended with a celebration of Peter's courage, his accomplishments and the magic of co-active coaching.

Seven Keys to a Successful Transition

Monthly Poem

Each month I will share with you a poem or quotation that speaks to me about the journey home to our true nature. Don't be surprised if the author of the quoted materials gave birth to their words centuries ago. I am in constant awe of the simplicity, wisdom and relevance of our ancient ancestors.

Seek the wisdom
that will untie your knot
seek the path
that demands your whole being.

Leave that which is not, but appears
to be
seek that which is, but is
not apparent.

-Rumi

Values Clarification - A Golden Opportunity

If you have not yet visited my new website, please go to www.WalkWithWayne.com. The site includes a self-assessment tool that walks you through an exercise that will help you identify what values are most important to you? And, how well are you living your values? Find the answers to both questions with the unique and complimentary Values Clarification feature on my new website.

The Gift of a Lifetime for the Holidays

What would the gift of a lifetime look like at this time of year as you think about the holidays, family and the opportunity for a fresh start in 2004. Maybe, just maybe, the gift of a lifetime would be a gift you give yourself. After all, it is said that you can't give to others what you can't give to yourself. It may sound selfish at first blush but hold open the possibility. May I make a suggestion that you may not have thought of; that of hiring a wise elder as your personal life coach. Someone to share your journey. Someone to help you identify and create the life you always wanted but have held back from. Someone to help you through the necessary transitions. There are two ways you could make that gift a reality:

1. When your spouse or loved one asks what you want for Christmas, tell them you'd love to receive a WalkwithWayne gift certificate for one months life coaching or

2. Better yet, give yourself the gift of a lifetime by contacting Wayne at 401 885 8488 or via email to wayne@walkwithwayne.com. I have a fabulous special Christmas offer waiting for you.

On the other hand, your first priority may be finding the perfect gift for your spouse, child, friend or employee. Please consider for a moment what would be possible for them if they had a wise elder as their partner in creating the life they want. Hurry, the time is now for them to have an experienced professional life coach.

Note: Most life coaching is conducted over the phone. If the receiver of the gift certificate is in driving distance of Wayne in Rhode Island, the coaching can be conducted in person or a mix of phone and in person.

To purchase a Holiday gift certificate or discuss options, Contact Wayne.

If you are stuck or in transition or both and would like to investigate how co-active coaching would work for you, please contact me at wayne@walkwithwayne.com or call 401 885 8488.

Schedule a complimentary coaching session

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