Wisdom by Mistake

The theme for this week's coaching calls whether with my coaching clients or coaches that come to me for supervision, was around perfectionism. Their drive toward perfectionism.  Their belief that they choose to hold onto that perfectionism is the end game. What would being perfect get you? How would it serve you? Better yet, what comes after you become "perfect"? And how can you "perfect" something if you aren't courageous enough to allow room for a mistake? The wonderful women I coach strive to be the best version of who they are. They are all really wise women. When I ask how do they think they became wise they all had the same answers:

  • I made a mistake.
  • I didn't to it right.
  • I got it wrong.
  • I needed to correct what I did.

They realized that their imperfection and history of mistakes brought them to their wisdom and the best version of themselves, today. So here's an exercise I recently did at a workshop that I'd love to share with all of you: Because it is sometimes a challenge to think of yourself as wise, I'm giving you some questions, inviting you to think about them and in your answers, my hope is you will see how wise you have become and are. Some rules first:

  • Print out the questions.
  • Find a best friend, a co-worker, a partner, and have them ask you the questions.
  • Have them interview you.
  • It would be great for you to record it for playback. That's an option.
  • And, if you want to do it solo, that's always a Plan B (but having some read and give you the space for reflection is powerful).

Questions:

  • What are some of the times that you've been at your happiest?
  • What's a failure or mistake that you made, and what did you learn from it?
  • Describe some of your proudest moments.
  • Who is your favorite childhood mentor? What did you learn from him or her? (a teacher, a coach, family member, youth leader).
  • What has the unique history of your family taught you?
  • Share a few "never again's" (I'm never going to do that again....)
  • If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice in high school, what would you say? How does that same advice apply to you right now?
  • It's 20 years in tot he future. You've achieved some of your greatest dreams. What advise does your future self have for you right now at this moment?

You see, you are wise! I'd love to hear your experience in doing this so please feel free to email me! Better yet! Step into 30-minutes of coaching with me, NO-COST, MY GIFT TO YOU, to experience what being coached is like and we can create an action plan on working through the thought keeping you unclear as to where to start. On the call we will:

    • Help you get started on tackling a challenge you are dealing with;
    • Discuss the benefits of entering into a coaching partnership, and
    • You will walk away with at least 1 coaching tool and strategy that you can immediately put into action!

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  Decide ahead of time that you're going to have a great new day and week ahead.     Photo credit - Unsplash