Christmas Reflections: COACH

This is the sixth in the series of blogs that focus on different aspects of wellbeing for both coaches and their clients. This wellness blog has been developed in response to extending the dialogue with coaches as a way of supporting all coaches consider their own wellness as well as that of their clients.

Please join in this dialogue through Twitter using the hashtag #bscwellbeing.

The blog is based on five tips for maintaining wellbeing for all coaches to be to contribute to. Using COACH acronym as our framework, the blog will be structured in the following headings:

1. Care
2. Opportunities
3. Action and awareness raising
4. Conversations and feedback
5. Health

For many people Christmas is one of the most stressful times of year as it is a religious and cultural celebration for millions of people around the world. Once the Christmas holiday begins it may also be a useful time reflect on the achievements of the year and celebrate them.

Did you know that…
the first Christmas was celebrated on December 25, AD 336 in Rome?
as far back as the Victorians Charles Dickens thought the focus of Christmas should be from a community-based and church-centered focus to one of a family-centered festival of generosity?
in the Middle East priests, pastors and congregations will mark Christmas Day by opening their doors to the community, regardless of faith, in celebration of the Emirates’ spirit of tolerance, togetherness and religious freedom?

Question to self:
Have you decided when you are going to stop your Christmas preparations and start to relax and enjoy the holiday? Remember that Christmas is your holiday too!

1. Care

The Wheel of Wellness
The Wheel of Wellness provides us with an opportunity to think about our clients and us in a holistic way. The Wheel is divided into 12 sections which all impact on our wellbeing.
Please see here.

2. Opportunities

For the 12 days of Christmas when you’re out and about, why not try being more conscious of your surroundings and your senses of what you see, touch, taste and smell? To find out more about their impact please see here.

3. Action and awareness raising

Mindful Eating
Paying attention to what you’re eating can help you to enjoy your food more. It can also stop you from overeating, which can benefit your overall health. Dr Pablo Vandenabelle, Bupa UK’s Clinical Director of mental health, shares his eight top tips for loving your food more with mindful eating. Find more here.

4. Conversations and feedback

This section is for coaches to provide their hints and tips for maintaining wellness as well as share experiences that may also be used in coaching network supervision session. If you have any models or thoughts you would like to share in this blog please email them to: amy@britishschoolofcoaching.com

5. Health

Self Reflection
Reflection is important to us as coaches as it helps us to develop skills and review effectiveness, rather than just carry on doing things we have always done. It is also about questioning, in a positive way, what you do and why you do it and then deciding whether there is a better, or more efficient, way of doing it in the future.

Reflection is an important part of learning. When we learn we can become stuck in a routine that may not be working effectively. Thinking about your own skills can help you identify changes you might need to make.

‘It is not sufficient simply to have an experience in order to learn. Without reflecting upon this experience it may quickly be forgotten, or its learning potential lost. It is from the feelings and thoughts emerging from this reflection that generalisations or concepts can be generated. And it is generalisations that allow new situations to be tackled effectively.’ (Gibbs 1988)

Reflection really can help us become the best coach we can be.

Question to self:
Do I give myself time to reflect and learn?
If you haven’t already attended a British School of Coaching network meeting why not give it a try? You will also be able to meet some of the coaching supervisors and hear about other coach’s reflections too.

Sally Bell, Business & Wellbeing Coach