Coaching Tip: Life's Joyous Journey

Originally Submitted on 11/17/98.

Introduction

It may be a cliche to say that life is a journey, but it is an analogy with many very strong matches. Yet we often prepare for a vacation trip with far more care than for the remainder of our lives.

The Coaching Tip

For example, most of us believe in taking good care of our automobile at any time, but particularly when we expect it to take us on a long journey. Do we take as good care of the bodies in which we will travel for the rest of our lives?

What else affects our journey? It helps to know our destination, our goal(s). Planning our route, at least approximately, is wise. As we start out, acquiring the right equipment can make things a lot easier. (In life's journey this equipment includes skills and knowledge.) Allowing time for unexpected side trips gives space for spontaneity and excitement. Our choice of companions can make or break our enjoyment of any trip. So can our attitude. We may focus on the goal - on just getting there, until which time nothing else matters. Or we may enjoy the scenery, the companionship and the entire process as we experience them. We may regard fellow-travelers in a spirit of competition that raises the blood pressure and lowers our enjoyment, "Does he really think he can overtake me here? I'll show him!" Or we can relax and let the agenda of others leave us unfazed.

Perhaps we waste fuel/energy by carrying unnecessary baggage that should have been discarded long ago. Perhaps we keep changing our minds about our direction, and so waste time and energy. We may become angry that we do not reach our destination, when in fact we have not chosen to be clear about where it is or how we will go about getting there.

Partnering our clients as they choose and follow their route, and at the same time helping them to maximize their enjoyment of the journey, these are a major part of what coaching is about. Remember to enjoy your own trip also.

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