Coaching Model: “W A T E R”

A Coaching Model Created by Nada Stadtlander
(Youth & Parent Coach, NEW ZEALAND)

When I think of “water” pictures of moving, life giving transparent liquid such as rain, streams and rivers come to mind. “Water” is transformational and can be a slow trickle, a gentle flow or a powerful rapid. Sensations I have of “water” are cool, refreshing, thirst-quenching and peaceful.  Contemplation, fun, adventure, power, adrenalin and danger highlight some experiences I’ve had with “water”.

Coaching can be like some of these things:

• A trusting relationship between coach/client needs to be established from the beginning to enable the client to be   transparent and get the most out of the coaching experience.
• Coaching is a process of transformation. It’s about positive change - bringing the unseen into the seen realm in terms of supporting clients to tap into their potential and live out their    dreams and goals.
• Transformation can be sudden. When a client has a moment of clarity or an epiphany. I liken it to a fast moving, adrenalin pumped experience of navigating a powerful rapid. At other times the process can be slower and more gentle like a refreshing stream which gently moves and swirls around rocks, or a small step forward can be like the trickle of a tap. No matter the speed, there is always movement and hence transformation. Even times of inaction can be movement because a decision to do something else was made.

I am passionate about helping people become all they were created to be and to discover the “Jewels Within Them”

(hence the name of my coaching business). Whatever that may look like for the individual, I feel privileged to co-partner with my clients in their adventure of self-discovery and pursuit of their hopes and dreams in an environment that is supportive and non judgmental.

My ideal client is anyone who wants a more fulfilled, meaningful life. Those who may have had a measure of success but know there’s more potential in them.

Application of the “W A T E R”

Window – Looking outwards.A macro view of your potential and what could be. What do you see your life being like?

This fun visionary step is to encourage you to “dream”. Abundant opportunity and life are found below the surface of the “water”. What goals, dreams and aspirations do you have? I encourage you to write down or make a vision board of everything you’ve ever wanted to achieve no matter how outrageous some of those things may be.

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. Helen Keller

Actuality – Zooming in to a micro view of what is.What is your life actually like currently? What would you like to change?

In this step I give you a variety of online exercises to choose from to assist you in your journey of self-discovery. Some could include Myers Briggs, Core values, and Emotional Intelligence explorations. Through this process you are able to discover more “jewels” within you and begin to harness those and work from a strength base to accomplish your goals.

You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness. Zig Ziglar

Tension – The harmony between what is and what could be.What needs to happen to achieve your goals?

This step in the coaching process assists you to prioritize your desired goals. Examining any limiting beliefs and helping you to shift them. Helping you to recognize and navigate around “debris” or “rocks” in your way to maintain the “flow” that you set yourself.

You must manage your thought life daily and then you can manage your life. Dr John Maxwell

Effort – What will you do to achieve your goals? When will it be done?

Brainstorming and strategizing with you to encourage you with a step by step process in pursuit of your stated goals. Looking at recipes of your past successes to encourage your future success. Helping you commit to a date by which the goals will be accomplished and discussing accountability to help you stay focused.

Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. Jim Rohn

Rejoice – Review where you were and where you are now. Celebrate and reward yourself!

The journey towards achieving goals needs to have a reward component along the way as well as at the end. Each session we will look at what “wins” you’ve had since the last session and how you plan to reward yourself. It’s important to acknowledge even small steps forward to help keep you motivated. This exciting step is crucial to validate you in the process and to keep you focused on new goals ahead.

If you do not see yourself as a winner, you cannot perform as a winner. Zig Ziglar