A New Chapter: Almost Certified!
As September begins, I find myself just under two weeks away from officially becoming a certified coach—and I couldn’t be more excited! Over the past couple of weeks, the assignments I’ve been working through have shown me something powerful: coaching feels natural to me. Honestly, it comes easier than I ever expected.
It’s funny how life works, though. When things are going smoothly, we feel confident and secure. But when challenges hit or things start to feel uncertain, our minds tend to overthink. We worry, we question, and sometimes anxiety creeps in louder than our inner wisdom.
What I’m learning through this journey is that coaching isn’t just about helping others set goals or stay accountable—it’s about perspective. It’s about guiding people (and reminding myself) to step back, take a breath, and see things more clearly. Often, the answers are already within us—we just need the right questions, the right space, and the right encouragement to bring them out.
And here’s the truth: it’s so much easier for us to “talk nice” to others or to help them with their goals and aspirations than it is to do that for ourselves. But I believe that by helping others on their journey—whatever that may be—we in turn help ourselves. We grow more confident in our own choices and can say, “Hey, that worked for them, let me try it.” Our support systems grow as our businesses grow.
Starting my own business has felt overwhelming at times, but one thing that grounds me is remembering SMART goals:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
This framework helps break big dreams into smaller, more digestible steps. But SMART doesn’t stop at goals—it can also serve as a guide for how we live our lives:
- Self-Aware
- Meaningful
- Authentic
- Resilient
- Thriving
It’s not just about what we achieve, but how we live and the impact we leave on those we come in contact with.
This certification milestone feels less like an ending and more like a beginning. I can’t wait to use these skills to make a difference in the lives of others, to help people walk through their challenges, and to remind them (and myself) that even in seasons of overthinking and anxiety, growth and clarity are possible.
Here’s to the next two weeks—and the many journeys ahead!
