Comments on: Being Me, Not a Metaphor

By: Victoria

Victoria — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:21:50 +0000

@Liz – It’s a really tricky sticky one, isn’t it? The term doesn’t quite work for me, yet I haven’t been able to find anything better. So, for now I’m just inching toward being okay with it, so that it doesn’t get in the way of doing what I want to do. Let me know if you come up with a word that fits you better!

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:20:30 +0000

This post resonates so much with me. I have been having so many similar reservations about the label "coach". It makes me think of yelling and competition. So I've elected to sit back, write for now, and let things percolate in the background. I'll look forward to seeing how things continue for you... sounds like you're on the right path! Liz’s last blog post..Thank you note Tuesday, week 3

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 04 May 2009 00:30:51 +0000

That's great! It never occurred to me to check my "language" about an issue if I'm feeling stuck. Jessica’s last blog post..Listen to a friend even though it isn't easy

By: Victoria

Victoria — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:52:45 +0000

@Dave – Ooh…there’s some good stuff to explore around judo and helping clients build on their own strengths. Love it!

And that bumper sticker is too funny. Makes me think of Obi-Wan Kenobi with his little hand wave to the stormtroopers. “These are not the metaphors you’re looking for.” :-)

By: Dave Thurston

Dave Thurston — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:21:37 +0000

You know . . . that whole listening thing, that whole coaching thing, that whole helping people want they really want to do thing . . . Isn’t that “Judo for the Brain” (<– I think that it is Judo that uses the opponents own strength to bolster his strength).

So, perhaps you’re providing not coaching per se, but are the judo-sparring partner that is allowing your clients to build on their own strengths — to tackle their dragons using your strengths.

Oh, and now, I’ll associate you with my kids’ elementary school as there is always a car there with the bumper sticker “Metaphores be with you”.

Dave Thurston’s last blog post..Big Day G

By: Victoria

Victoria — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:20:36 +0000

Thanks so much for all of your beautiful comments! I hated having to wait all day to reply, but it was an office day with lots of meetings. *sigh*

@Pace – Thank YOU for sharing such an inspiring video.

@leah – Thanks…I enjoyed our metaphor brainstorming. ;-)

@Debra – Oh yes – our language really does feel limiting at times! But all we can do is be ourselves as best we can.

@chris – Awww thanks…the umbrella’s always open for you if you ever need it. xoxo

@Mark – I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to have you call me a weirdo coach. That’s the best kind of coach to be, methinks!

@Shannon – Thanks! And it’s so true – the best way is to stick to our definitions without obsessing about the word.

@Goddess Leonie – Thank you so much. I love hearing that from you!

@Hiro – Big hugs to you…You have played a huge role in me being able to define my heart’s work!

By: Hiro Boga

Hiro Boga — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:11:33 +0000

Yay, Victoria! You'll be your own shining, beautiful, loving, brilliant, collaborative self with your lucky, lucky clients, no matter what you call yourself. You've defined your heart's work so clearly and beautifully in this post. I love knowing that you offer the shelter of your umbrella in the rain. Big hugs, Hiro Hiro Boga’s last blog post..Grace Descending

By: Goddess Leonie | GoddessGuidebook.com

Goddess Leonie | GoddessGuidebook.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:45:03 +0000

I adore you so much Victoria... I think this is so beautiful, meaningfully and poetically put. Your coaching is a vehicle to share the gifts and wisdom of VICTORIA with the world. Goddess Leonie | GoddessGuidebook.com’s last blog post..Mini update: free Rainbow Zen Habits wallpaper

By: Shannon Wilkinson

Shannon Wilkinson — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:21:47 +0000

Hey Victoria, it's so true about the coach/life coach words. I've struggled with calling myself that too. I love that you've made up a definition that's just right for you, and will help guide your right people to you. I'm going to stick with it too, until I come up with something better! Congratulations on offering your coaching services! Shannon Wilkinson’s last blog post..A beautiful new journal. Yikes!

By: Mark Silver

Mark Silver — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:13:28 +0000

I’m totally with you. As in, forget “coaching.” I’ve really struggled with my own reactivity around this, because want to call me a “coach” and I am not a coach. Well, my friend Molly Gordon says I’d pass her test with flying colors, but I’m not trained as a coach, I’ve never had any coach training.

I’m trained as a spiritual healer. Except that didn’t exactly fit, either. As an ex-paramedic and magazine editor, my energy tends to be a little different than the stereotypical healer.

So, anyway, I’m with you, Victoria. No “coach.” No “healer.” It’s not about the labels.

The focus is on who are we helping, and what are we helping them with. That’s what gets me out of the navel-gazing stuckness that can happen around this.

Anyway- thanks for voicing it. Rock on.
From this weirdo sufi spiritual healer to the weirdo coach that you are. :)
Mark

Mark Silver’s last blog post..Do You Really Need to Offer a Free Download?