Using stillness as the foundation for change

Rather than concentrate on the fundamentals and benefits of Career Coaching in what is International Coaching Week, I wanted to dip into some of the books that have taught me the art and importance of reflection. These books have replayed salient messages and techniques that have helped shape my thinking over recent years.

Stillness is the Key, authored by Ryan Holiday is a book that underpins many of the life changes I have made in recent years and focuses on the importance of finding sanctuary in this frantic world to reflect, create and plan.

In his introduction, Ryan states "Stillness inspires new ideas. It sharpens perspective and illuminates connections. It generates a vision, helps us resist the passions of the mob, makes space for gratitude and wonder. Stillness allows us to persevere. To succeed".

The notion of changing direction or reevaluating life is very difficult if we attempt it 'on the hoof'. If we want to make changes to our life and embed them, we simply have to make time to contemplate, capture and action those desires. We have to consciously put time aside if we want to accomplish our goal.

Below Ryan alludes to a variety of mechanisms an individual might need to expose themselves to in their pursuit.

"Find people you admire and ask how they got where they are. Seek recommendations. Add experience and experimentation. Put yourself in tough situations. Accept challenges. Familiarise yourself with the unfamiliar; That's how you widen your perspective and your understanding. Wrestle with big questions. And big ideas. Treat your brain like the muscle that it is. Get stronger through resistance and exposure and training. The wise are still because they've seen it all. They've made mistakes and learned from them. And so must you".

The role of the coach in this journey is to help smooth the undulating nature of the path, providing support, a robust framework and an environment in which the coachee can flourish and think big.

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