5 Simple but Powerful Lessons I’ve Learned from Hanging Out with a Life Coach

~ as written by guest blogger, Pauline Wiles

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I’ve been lucky to know Elizabeth now for a number of years, both in a professional capacity and as a friend. From our earliest meetings it was clear to me she brings great wisdom not only to her client relationships, but to her friendships too.

Recently, our interactions have been on Zoom, and I leave every conversation with a nugget of inspiration that I can apply to real life. Here are some of the best insights that I’ve gleaned from her:

You truly don’t need to be on social media

Of all my business buddies, Elizabeth has been the most steadfast in refusing the siren call of social media platforms. I wholeheartedly admire her assured belief that Facebook, Instagram et al are simply not for her, and it’s not only possible to live without them, but to thrive professionally and personally.

Aside from the fear of missing out (FOMO) that social media cultivates, I know I don’t spend enough time there to nurture authentic, meaningful relationships with contacts who might one day turn into clients. There is so much noisy content promotion on the platforms that, deep down, I admit I’m present on Instagram from a sense of obligation, not true pleasure. If (when?) I eventually step away from maintaining social media accounts for my web design services, Elizabeth will be top of mind.

Impetus will take many forms

I don’t believe Elizabeth came up with this mantra, but it’s one she’s mentioned a few times: “the pain will push you until the vision pulls you.” I love when she reminds me that many things can get you started on the way to big or small change, and the frustration that triggers your first step will likely morph into something else along the way.

It’s over 25 years now since I ran my first 5k race, but it’s still rare for me to feel true joy when it’s time to lace up my shoes. Afterward, not surprisingly, I feel terrific, but avoiding extra pounds and poor health is what typically gets me started. Thank you, Elizabeth, for the knowledge that this is normal, and okay.

Serve others

I’m a small business owner and I found my love of website design relatively late in life. As such, I’m in a hurry to build a viable, profitable enterprise, preferably one that contributes a healthy amount to my Bay Area mortgage. I’m ashamed to admit that in recent years I’ve allowed volunteering and service to others to take a back seat. Elizabeth is far too gracious to point this out, but she leads by example in giving her time to both professional and private causes. And our conversations have reminded me that getting the message out (whatever your message or gift is) to the right people is a strong reward in its own right.

But know how you like to serve, too

‘Know yourself’ questions fascinate me and I get frustrated with any kind of how-to advice that doesn’t account for different personalities and preferences. Tuning into your individual style and methods is so key when seeking habit change or a new goal. So I was delighted when Elizabeth mentioned some thinking she had done about her work roles and projects: do you welcome open-ended involvement, or does a defined project (with end date!) suit you better?

Noticing how your energy and enthusiasm differ when you’re faced with a (work-related) marathon or a sprint can be especially illuminating. For me, when times are tough, I can call on secret energy reserves when a specific finish line is in sight, but I can’t keep digging deep, week after week.

Your body language

No doubt her coaching training has honed Elizabeth’s knack for pointing out when my words and my body language are at odds. Even on a Zoom call, all she needs to see is my screwed up face accompanying a verbal assertion, and she gently points out that I might not believe what I’m saying. Inevitably, she’s right: we don’t tend to make bizarre faces when our words and intuition are congruent! The value in this for me hasn’t been the reminder to conceal my facial expressions when I find myself in uncomfortable territory. Instead, I’m getting better at noticing on my own when my furrowed brow, pursed lips or general squirming have something to tell me.

In both business and personal contexts we encounter endless messages framed with “should”. So, I welcome any and every technique that helps me to pause and tune into guidance from my own values, experience, and instincts.

If you yourself have reasons to simply hang out in Elizabeth’s company, I encourage you to soak up for her sage insights too. If not, then an excellent first step for tapping into her supportive wisdom would be to sign up for her email updates.

Then, why not learn more from this website, and schedule a free inspiration session to find out more about coaching, and whether working with Elizabeth is right for you.

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Pauline Wiles is a website designer who builds custom sites for consultants, authors, and speak-ers. When away from her desk, Pauline can often be found running, reading, or stalking station-ery stores. British by birth, Pauline is now a contented resident of California, although she admits to an occasional yearning for afternoon tea and historic homes.

FInd out more about Pauline at paulinewiles.com