Coaching Excellence blog

The Big Questions - Part One: Changing Old Beliefs

September 19th, 2008

On September 9th, I was interviewed by Luke Iorio, Vice President of iPEC, and Evie DiPiazza, iPEC’s Director of Corporate Relations and Community Services. This was an “Ask Bruce” call; those who signed up for it were invited to submit their questions about how to get more out of life, about the things that keep them up at night, about master level coaching, and about anything else they had on their minds. If you missed it, you can Click here to listen.

Many great questions came in, and I wasn’t able to answer all of them in the hour-long call, so I’ll be posting those questions I didn’t get to on this blog over the next few weeks.  Here’s one of them:

Q:  “I’ve been taught and conditioned to believe certain things about who I am that I have recently realized are limiting me and holding me back. How can I begin to change these beliefs and perceptions so that I can reach more of my potential?”

A:  Wipe your slate clean today, and begin to journal “who I am.” For each experience, write how it positively or negatively affects who you would like to be, and like a puzzle, keep what you like and toss the rest.

If you do this journaling exercise and would like to share your experiences, if you have other questions, or if you want to respond to something I’ve said, comment here and I’ll get back to you.

Great Reception

September 12th, 2008

I think most people would agree that it's much easier to give than receive. We've even been taught that it's "better" to do so. Giving is a powerful experience.

However, please consider the power in receiving. When you allow someone to give to you, you are honestly giving them something even more valuable in return; validation of their sentiment. When you actively receive with grace and openness, you permit the other person to experience the joy and power of sharing with you.

This week, actively receive, even if it's just with a thank you and smile after a compliment. Free yourself and the person giving to fully enjoy the experience.

Back to School – Always in School

September 8th, 2008

For many people, the month of September brings back memories of going back to school, with blank notebooks waiting to be filled with new knowledge. Last week I was in Staples buying school supplies with my daughter, and I was thinking that even though I’m pretty far removed from “going to school,” I feel like I’m learning every day. As one of our foundation principles states, “We either grow or die,” and in fact, it’s important to know that we always can grow and learn from all of life’s experiences.

Many people who come to iPEC consider themselves to be life-long learners, always on a quest to learn more about themselves, the world around them, and about life in general.  One of the best things about being a coach is that as you help your clients to grow, in the process, you also grow and learn more about yourself.