Tag Archives: passion

Coaching Tools: Passion, Strength or Value?

Coaching & Training Articles
I often see coaching clients struggle with being able to distinguish between their strengths and their passions. And when I begin to enquire about their values they get even more confused.
A question that helps them get unstuck is to ask about the last time they were unstoppable. The coaching client is able to provide at least one instance; usually it turns out to be when they were living in alignment with their values, operating on their strengths and integrating their passions into their life.
Let’s define these terms to better distinguish between them.
A value is a standard of behavior that you hold dear. For example, Reliability, Creativity and Excellence are a few core values.
A passion is something that gets your fired up. It could be writing, designing websites, or planning events etc.
A strength is an innate ability or talent. It could be that writing or collaborating on web design ideas makes you feel strong.
It is easy to see why our coaching clients get confused
  • Values can influence your strengths. Just because Excellence is a value, doesn’t mean that creating perfect spreadsheets makes you feel strong.
  • Strengths sound very similar to passions. You may be drawn to event planning (because of your value of Creativity) while you strengths lie in other areas. It is important to understand that the knowledge or skill gap can be bridged through training or practice.
Whether you are a coach or a coaching client, in making decisions about your life, it pays to be aware of your values, your strengths and your passions. It is this clarity that casts your life’s purpose into sharp relief helping you differentiate yourself from others. With this newfound clarity… is it any wonder that you become unstoppable?
Guest Blog by Kay Fudala, Consultant and Creative Coach at www.kayfudala.com, currently enrolled with Goal Imagery Institute Holistic Life and Career Coach Training. 
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Passion is Not The Answer

Coaching & Training Articles
“Passion” to me means a burning desire. I can be passionate about certain things in my life, but I’m not “on fire” all the time. When our clients can’t relate to “passion” the way we want them to, we treat them as if something is terribly amiss in their lives and insist on helping them “find it”.:) But passion is not always the answer. Even though it’s a must for a visionary leader as a source of a positive driving force, it’s not always a workable concept for everyone else on the planet. Coaches tend to forget that “passion” by definition is the highest degree of emotional intensity. It is extreme and far from normal. And it’s not even always positive. One can be passionate about something that is addictive, like gambling; or one can be passionate about someone who is not good for them. And when it is positive – does it have to be so extreme? Does it have to be “passion”? What about “inner happiness”, being “in your skin”, feeling content? Do you deeply love your children or are you “passionate” about your children? What are the different definitions for each concept? We shouldn’t measure our clients, their happiness, state of well-being, and level of life satisfaction by their passion or lack of it. I’d rather look at what makes our clients feel good about themselves. They don’t have to be “on fire” to be happy and fulfilled.
Copyright © Marianna Lead. All Rights Reserved in ALL Media.
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Passion v. Inner Peace: Is passion a necessary attribute of happiness?

Coaching & Training Articles

Many coaches believe that passion for what you do, passion that gives meaning to your life – is a necessary attribute of happiness. However, to feel deeply about something and to be passionate about it, are not necessarily one and the same. When we experience our lives as having significance and meaning, we often experience a sense of inner peace — as opposed to the energized feeling of being passionate about something. That inner peace comes from knowing deeply within that we are doing what we are supposed to do in life — that we are living out our “life’s purpose.” It could be as ambitious as running a huge business or being totally satisfied being a mom and growing a family. We all determine and define our own happiness. “Passion” is at the top of the emotional scale. We don’t feel “passion” all the time, even as we do a job or a task we totally adore. We just feel good. We experience inner peace — a sense of wholeness, and truly being in the moment… What are your thoughts?

 

Copyright © 2012, Marianna Lead. All Rights Reserved in ALL Media.

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What does passion mean to you?

Coaching & Training Articles

As coaches, we talk a lot about passion — not only as a driving force for achievement but also as a necessary element for happiness. But does everyone’s happiness depend on an abundance of passion? I know a few people who are passionate but not really happy. “Passion” just as “happiness” represent something intangible and, therefore, are extremely subjective. It may mean different things to different people. So, if passion comes up in a coaching session, it may be wise to start by asking our clients, “What does “passion” mean to you?” And just be curious and listen…

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What not to ask your new coaching client

Coaching & Training Articles

There are a lot of questions that coaches ask, thinking that it may help them know their clients better. One of these questions is: “What are you passionate about?” Some clients may like this question and respond readily and others may feel very uncomfortable — as “passion” may not be part of their active vocabulary. Instead of asking questions of this sort, I prefer to ask a new client to share with me anything they think might be good for me to know to gain a deeper understand of them – which ultimately will make our coaching relationship more effective. And, as they share with me, I’ll ask questions that feel right in the moment, fit their vocabulary, and make sense in the flow of our conversation. But most of all… I listen…

 

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