Goings-on, coaching practice

Today I took the written exam and passed with a 94 % :) Yesterday I updated my resume and LinkedIn so it includes my most recent job (which I've now left) and candidacy for the CHWC designation (certified health and wellness coach). I also added some people from my wellcoaches training.

Also yesterday I did the first coaching session with my second practice client. Both of my clients actually have the same reason for wanting coaching (weight loss), and both have pretty much the same challenges. So when I get an idea with one of them, I'm making a note to bring it up with the other. And I made a list of common goals from which I can draw if I get stuck. It's not like I'm supposed to come up with the goals myself, but it just happened that in my initial attempts at coaching, the clients asked me what I thought they should do. Normally, the conversation leading up to the goal setting is supposed to naturally facilitate ideas in both the client and the coach (conversation that explores strengths, motivators, challenges, wellness vision). But I guess it's okay that I dispensed some advice even though we're supposed to try and limit it. It's not like I said, 'you should do this.' We talked about things and agreed upon them. After I organized my notes following these first sessions, I found things to tweak that I didn't think of at the time and I added possibilities for future goals that I also didn't think of. (Like I said, when I made the list of 'common goals' it was so that I'd be better prepared next time). So we'll see how my first follow-up sessions go now!

Perhaps I'll listen to some of the demos again, too. I found myself wanting to stray from the scripted format, but tried to mostly stay on track. The cool thing about the session with my second client was she said I made her think a lot :) And after that session, I felt I'd stretched myself as well (in the sense of exploring possibilities that might work for her). The more I think about doing this as a job, the more excited I get about the prospect of really using my brain and really being challenged. I may have used my brain some in past jobs, but not in the same way. Definitely not in the same way. This way is better, by far.