by Brian Bennett
One of the especially important events in a coach’s calendar is think time. Space for them to reflect, connect the dots and gain new insights into themselves as coaches, into their partnership with clients and into the building of their coaching practices.
I coach leaders and constantly discover that there is an absence of space for them to work on their business or themselves, as they continually find themselves active in the tyranny of the urgent. They are caught up in the day-to-day activities which often are very important. When we are operating in the whirlwind of coaching clients, invoicing, responding to inquiries, preparing for credentialing, it is difficult to take the bird’s eye view, to step back and gain perspective. Some have called this the helicopter view, rising above to see the whole instead of the parts. When we do pause to step out of the whirlwind, inviting God to guide us as we reflect and seek to see in fresh ways, we open the doors of possibilities.
These moments of reflection are doorways into working on the business, working on ourselves, and working on our coaching. When we are moving in the flow of daily activities, we are keeping everything going as it is. When we step back to take perspective, we are thinking and dreaming about how it can be. Think time, exploration moments, allows space to consider the art of the possible. It allows space to discern where God is active, to learn and to grow.
A few coaching questions to spur your considerations:
- Which part of your day would be most energizing for think time?
- Where do you do your best thinking?
- How could you invite God into that time?
- What focus would you be motivated to think about next?
- Which area of your coaching and business would benefit the most from more thought time?
- How could space to think increase the effectiveness of your coaching?
- How could space unlock new efficiencies and ways of operating your practice?
- Where will you build think time into your calendar?
- What will be different as you hold this space?
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Proverbs 1:5)
Blessings as you continue to cultivate think time into the flow of your calendar, I know God will meet you in meaningful ways as we hold our hands open to Him and seek to faithfully steward this journey called coaching!
Brian Bennett, President
Christian Coaches Network International
Brian seeks to be a blessing in the world by empowering leaders to bring their best self to their life and work. He brings management and executive perspective from his experience as the Director of the KCLI Leadership Institute, Executive Coach, & Executive Pastor. He has the privilege of coaching leaders across thesectors of business, non-profit and church ministry. He holds an MBA, an M.A. in Organizational Leadership and an M.A. in Christian Ministry and Leadership. He is a Korn Ferry certified Leadership Architect, is a Certified Behavioral Analyst by TTI Success Insights, and a certified Professional Leadership & Life Coach by Professional Christian Coaching Institute. Brian resides in Missouri with his wife and two sons.
