Coaching is an incredibly fulfilling job. I witness people not only embarking on their journey toward their dreams sooner and reaching significant milestones faster than they imagined but also some achieving their goals ahead of schedule. Here are three key elements that consistently help them achieve their dreams faster.
1. Clarity and Purpose
Many people struggle with decision-making or burnout because they can't say no. They overcommit to please others and often feel like they’re running on a hamster wheel—working hard but unsure of where they’re headed. Some people even feel a lack of motivation and find that nothing excites them anymore. These are clear signs of a lack of clarity and purpose.
One client frequently missed family meals due to work she volunteered for, believing it was necessary for her career. She thought this was just part of having a job, and since her career was important, it felt justifiable. However, she began to feel that family mealtimes were equally important and wanted to say no to additional work that conflicted with them. But she was afraid of how others might react since she had never set such boundaries before.
Through coaching, she gained clarity on what truly mattered to her at this stage in her life. With this newfound clarity, she cared less about others' reactions because her priorities became clear. She set boundaries, and to her surprise, not only was she much happier, but others also respected her more for being clear about her values.
Now, she feels fulfilled having family meals, can make confident decisions about everything in her life, and, by focusing on what’s important to her, she is more energetic and content than ever. Without coaching, she might still be tolerating things that don’t matter to her, just as she had done for much of her life, instead of focusing on what truly matters.
2. Creativity
Some people know what they want but struggle to find the opportunity. They feel like there is no room for growth at work, or they believe they can’t pursue what they want until something changes, like getting a higher job title. These are symptoms of a lack of creativity.
One client, an executive in the tech industry, had a hidden dream she had almost forgotten about—one day, she wanted to own a restaurant. Although she wasn’t ready to leave the tech industry because she still enjoyed her work, this dream lingered in the background as a “one day, someday” plan. When I asked her when she might start working on this ultimate dream, she mentioned it might be 10 years down the line, or perhaps even later, after retirement.
During our coaching sessions, we explored the aspects she loved about the idea of owning a restaurant and discussed small ways she could start incorporating those elements into her life right now. She decided to create a menu and test it with her friends. After receiving positive feedback, she took it a step further and started an ad-hoc food truck business, all while keeping her day job. She realized she didn’t have to choose between her career and her dream—she could have both. Without coaching, this dream might not have been considered for another 10 years or more.
Another client felt she was stuck at her current level for too long and saw no room for growth within her company. When I asked her what kind of opportunity she was looking for, she had a wealth of ideas about what her organization should be doing and was passionate about executing them. However, she was frustrated that many of her ideas weren’t even being considered.
Through coaching, we explored how some of these ideas could be implemented right away and how she could share her vision more effectively to build consensus. She began sharing her vision and taking on additional work to demonstrate results. In just a few short months, the company created a new role specifically for her, allowing her to focus on what she was truly passionate about. Without coaching, she might still be searching for opportunities where her ideas would be recognized.
3. Courage
Some people know what they want to do or what they need to do to achieve their dreams, but they find themselves procrastinating or avoiding action. Sometimes, they create excuses to justify inaction, convincing themselves that not doing anything is also a valid option. They often tolerate situations they dislike because they’re scared to take the necessary steps. Even when a perfect opportunity arises, they hesitate, waiting for others to nominate them out of fear of rejection. These are clear symptoms of a lack of courage.
An Asian client was an avid blogger and speaker, but after encountering a few nasty reactions related to Asian hate, she hesitated to speak up. It bothered her deeply because it wasn’t true to who she was, and she felt strongly about combating Asian hate. She struggled between the desire to speak up again and the thought that it was okay to remain silent because she was too busy anyway.
Through coaching, she reconnected with her purpose for speaking out. It wasn’t just about expressing herself—it was about raising awareness and standing against Asian hate. This purpose became even more important to her when she realized that if no one speaks up, her children could face the same discrimination, which she couldn’t tolerate. Once she understood her purpose, she found the strength and courage to share her thoughts openly, without self-filtering. Without coaching, she might have continued to tolerate these behaviors for much longer.
Another client struggled with interviews, fearing that if she didn’t give the 'correct' answers, she wouldn’t be liked or might be seen as incompetent. This fear kept her from sharing her true vision, which was preventing her from being perceived as a leader. Through coaching sessions, she gained awareness of this fear and found the courage to express her vision and thoughts more openly. To her surprise, she received multiple job offers, and one of them was for a higher-level position than she had applied for. Without coaching, it might have taken her many more months to reach that title.
Which One Sounds Like You?
If you find yourself in any of these situations, know that you're not alone. Gaining clarity, tapping into your creativity, and finding the courage to move forward are all within your reach. Whether you’re looking to make a small change or a big leap, exploring the support available to you might be the next step. The Women Leaders Community, starting September 3, could be a great place to begin. And if you ever want to talk about your next steps, I’m here to help. Feel free to share this with anyone who might find it helpful too.
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