“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller
We hear a lot in the news these days about the negative impact of our work on our health. According to the Health and Safety Executive, in 2017/18 stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 44% of all work-related ill health cases and 57% of all working days lost due to ill health. Whether you are freelance, an entrepreneur or working for someone else, we are all susceptible to the stresses and strains of trying to make a living and create purpose in our lives. Feeling alone and unsupported in these challenges can be devastating to growth and progress.
Coaching – developing grace and grit
Navigating a career path – whatever it is – often feels lonely and stressful. Truly thriving at work takes time, practice and the right support. That’s why coaching is for everyone, whatever your stage in life, work situation and whatever your goals. It requires a combination of grace and grit to push through some of life’s most challenging circumstances and relentlessly pursue a vision of what you want your professional future to be. Working with a coach has many very tangible benefits, including:
●Building confidence
●Unlocking potential
●Promoting clearer thinking
●Providing essential perspective
●Overcoming unconscious incompetence
●Honing leadership ability
●Improving emotional intelligence, self awareness and empathy
How does it work?
The best coaching style is relaxed but effective – a good coach will work alongside you to identify how you can do your job to the best of your ability and to start identifying clear goals for your future. There is also an element of accountability involved – a good coach won’t collude with you to avoid the tough decisions or the difficult moments but, instead, will enable you to hold yourself accountable for your words and actions. Crucially, you’ll always feel as if you have someone on your side, which can be an essential part of the process if you’re buckling under the weight of work stress or just feeling the lack of direction in your life.
Local coaching for local people
Community is a powerful concept – local knowledge, understanding and connections are incredibly valuable. Winchester, and its surrounding area, is a unique location with a local business community that encompasses everyone, from start-ups and innovators, to executives and professionals travelling to London to work. Grace Coaching has been developed to help foster connection via local coaching, for local people, by local people. The idea is that coaching is convenient, on your doorstep and plugged in to where you live.
We believe that working with a coach locally creates invaluable opportunities to define direction, to get to the root of issues such as stress and to help you to take the next steps towards thriving at work. If you’d like to experience a coaching taster – or find out more - you’ll find me – along with my colleague coach Jo Ibbott – holding a weekly drop in session at Open House Deli - 8–9.30 every Friday. Come and say hi and find out how much more you could do with a local coach on your side.
Resource used: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress.pdfSample blog post text. …