Coaching
Coaching has been around forever!
In ancient Greece, Socrates' maieutics consisted of giving form to confused ideas through dialogue (Maiah being the goddess who watched over childbirth).
Closer to home, perhaps you've already heard of the "Coué method"? The pharmacist and psychotechnician (Émile, by his first name, who died in 1926) stated: we have "the freedom and the capacity to imagine the possible." Success comes through this imagination, and thus was born positive thinking... Cock-a-doodle-doo!
What is coaching?
The word "coaching" originally comes from the French "coche," which meant a team of people carrying an important person from one place to another. The intention is there: transposed to our times, it is about offering others support to help them achieve a set goal.
Later, the term was given all its sporting panache thanks to our English-speaking friends. “To coach” is “to train” isn’t it? Timothy Gallwey, captain of the tennis team at the prestigious Harvard University, understood this well: he established the link between sport and mental preparation in his book, The Inner Game of Tennis . Our brain holds the key to victory! In England, Sir John Whitmore, a former racing driver, became one of the pioneers of coaching specific to high-level competitors, before adapting his approach to the business world.
Today, the techniques are taught in specialized schools and institutes, which are sometimes inspired by the work of "psychologists," in the broad sense (psychologists, psychiatrists). So much so that it is even legitimate to question the closeness of the link between coaching and psychology.
The difference is, however, irrefutable: if the coach may be led to question the past, it will be for the sole purpose of serving the future. In no case will he be able to analyze it. Thus, while the psychologist questions the “why,” the coach will focus on answering the “how.”
In short, from Socrates' maieutics to high-level sport, there is only one step! And this step, the coach takes it with you to prepare you to develop your performances, by combining body and mind.
What is coaching?
The word "coaching" originally comes from the French "coche," which meant a team of people carrying an important person from one place to another. The intention is there: transposed to our times, it is about offering others support to help them achieve a set goal.
Later, the term was given all its sporting panache thanks to our English-speaking friends. “To coach” is “to train” isn’t it? Timothy Gallwey, captain of the tennis team at the prestigious Harvard University, understood this well: he established the link between sport and mental preparation in his book, The Inner Game of Tennis . Our brain holds the key to victory! In England, Sir John Whitmore, a former racing driver, became one of the pioneers of coaching specific to high-level competitors, before adapting his approach to the business world.
Today, the techniques are taught in specialized schools and institutes, which are sometimes inspired by the work of "psychologists," in the broad sense (psychologists, psychiatrists). So much so that it is even legitimate to question the closeness of the link between coaching and psychology.
The difference is, however, irrefutable: if the coach may be led to question the past, it will be for the sole purpose of serving the future. In no case will he be able to analyze it. Thus, while the psychologist questions the “why,” the coach will focus on answering the “how.”
In short, from Socrates' maieutics to high-level sport, there is only one step! And this step, the coach takes it with you to prepare you to develop your performances, by combining body and mind.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
- Gandhi
Concretely, how is coaching happening?
It all starts with a discussion to understand where you are today, in order to better determine your goal.
Then, together, we eliminate the reasons why it hasn't been achieved yet (or, those that could hinder it if it's a new goal). Finally, the coach helps you develop a specific, dated action plan to remove the obstacles that limit your achievement.
According to Frederic Hudson, one of the founding fathers of modern coaching, the idea is to transform the possible dream into a probable plan. It's up to us to incorporate this change into a concrete learning plan, which will allow you to achieve a "better" life, whatever definition this adjective inspires in you (a serene, authentic, exhilarating, rich life, etc.).
Because the perfect model doesn't exist, each coaching session is unique and tailored to your needs, challenges, and desires. Your definition of happiness is unique to you, and the key lies within you.
How is coaching good for you?
If…
You suffer from “mental load” (the famous one!),
You feel overwhelmed by the pressure of your business,
You constantly feel guilty about not being a good parent/employee/partner,
You have difficulty communicating with your children,
You lack self-confidence,
You can't make a decision,
You are going through a phase of change that you are apprehensive about and/or undergoing,
You recognize an imbalance in your life…