This is hard for me to admit, but I’ve been struggling with my coaching practice. I know I’m only a month in, but something hasn’t felt right and because it wasn’t feeling right, I found myself unable to put forth the energy to draw clients in.
It started with an issue over what I call myself. The term “life coach” felt too restricted and open ended all at the same time. It felt restrictive because several of the programs I’d considered focused on the process of coaching…on how to analyze and qualify clients. But I want to focus on what people are feeling…where they are stuck. At the same time “life coach” was also too open ended. While many life coaches pick a focus (marriage, relationship, career advancement, career change, children), I was struggling to define my focus…my niche.
So rather than call myself a “life coach”, I decided to use the term “intuitive coach”.
To me, it moved me just a bit closer to feeling and farther from thinking, and started to separate me from the coaches that dress up for work like they’re going to work at a bank. Again, that wasn’t how I saw myself and I didn’t want to attract clients that were looking for that kind of coach. Not that there’s anything wrong with that at all. It’s just not me anymore….it never really was, to be honest.
As I shared my struggle with Mr. Universe and then with Princess Grace, both basically gave me the same advice. The people that I can best coach are those that are where I was…those that want to move in a different direction but don’t know how to.
My response was
“I don’t want to deal with all of that all over again.”
But what we were finally able to dive down and figure out is, specifically I don’t want to deal with the folks that haven’t decided they want out.
I want to help people that want to get out of the rat race to focus on the human race. I want to help people that want off the ferris wheel but don’t know how to stop the ride. I want to help people that feel there’s a better way…something bigger for them…but they don’t know how to put a plan together.
That’s what I want to do! I want to help people to find their path.
Princess Grace suggested a word that nailed it…camino. It’s Spanish for path…way…journey. Most have heard of the Camino de Santiago. It was featured in the book The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coehlo. The book I read when I started my own journey back in April…and it really put into motion the realization that my leaving was about finding my path.
That word…that single word…sums up exactly what I want to do. I want to be a Camino Coach. To help people find their path, especially people who have focused and sacrificed for their jobs…their careers…those that know there’s something more out there but don’t know where or how to start. That’s my expertise, people. I’ve been there. Done that. Bought the t-shirt. And write a blog about it.
Finally…the haze is lifting!