I admire athletes for their dedication and determination.
I’m not in training for a competitive event, like the World Cup or the Olympics. But as I’ve worked with my coach Bill Burtch, I’ve come to see that bringing my best to my life and my work takes training. Just like an athlete.
I kind of picture myself that way — with Bill as my coach — developing the fierce determination and grit of a world-class athlete. Just applying these qualities to my life’s work instead.
On the days I feel lethargic, Bill says just the right thing to get me inspired and moving again.
We started the coaching process talking about my core purpose and my core values. I originally thought that this process of discovery would be more like me figuring out things about myself that I never knew before.
But it’s been more like putting words to things that I’ve known all along.
I’ve discovered that naming something for what it is brings definition and power to it.
Putting a label on a feeling and discussing that feeling empowers me to do something with the feeling….explore it more, maybe lean into the feeling, and ultimately to let the feeling go.
This was a big deal for me when I first started doing it in therapy many years ago.
Coaching is not really therapy. Coaching is more action-oriented, rather than feeling-oriented. I have found coaching with Bill to emphasize the present with a focus on my future. For me, therapy encouraged me to look at the present, with a focus toward healing the past.
Bill has helped me name my values and my purpose. As I move forward, I have these to guide me toward my vision.
My purpose & values help me remember who I am, what I’m doing and why.
I’m pretty excited about this! So I didn’t just write down my values, I drew a picture of them so I could see them more clearly. Bill described them as concentric circles – overlapping and intertwined.
I drew the Olympic rings. They symbolize strength, unity and fierce determination — a fitting symbol for me.
They define who I’ve been, who I am, and they will guide me as I move toward who I will become.
One day, I’ll create a prettier, more artistic representation.
But for now when I look at this little sketch, I like what I see!
Thought I’d share it with you.
