A Coaching Model Created by Tamara Ocean
(Executive & Life Coach, UNITED STATES)
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours. Henry David Thoreau
My coaching practice is focused on supporting you—my client—to define and achieve outcomes that are meaningful to you and aligned with your values. Prior to our first session, I will ask you to reflect on your reasons for seeking a coach and your most important goals right now.
Although my coaching model is flexible, it is based on the TIGER concept described below. The TIGER approach to goal realization is not prescriptive, but rather provides a framework and tools for moving you from wishful thinking to the realization of tangible goals. Whether you are unfamiliar with the process of defining goals and action plans, or have years of experience at accomplishing things, we will prioritize and work on goals that bring you a sense of true fulfillment. As a coach, I will use this framework to guide our process and assist you in pursuing your dreams in a powerful and positive way.
The TIGER Coaching Model & Goal Realization Cycle
Thought
All of us spend time thinking about (or even talking to others about) the things that we would like to do “someday”. It is important to bring awareness to these thoughts, to take time to reflect on all of the many things that we would like to do or see or be. So the first step to realizing your dreams is to identify them.
Prior to our first session, I will ask you to reflect on your most important goals and to answer a few questions related to the outcomes you would like to see as a result of our work together. I might also use wish mapping to help a draw out the unspoken “wish list” that you may have tucked quietly in a corner of your soul.
Intention
The next step in the process is to create the intention to move in a specific direction, even if the outcome is not yet clear. It is a matter of prioritizing. Sometimes the direction is already clear, but often it requires getting clear on your personal values. Rather than selecting items on the “wish list” that are easy to pursue or feel like something you “should” focus on, we will work on identifying those dreams that are truly important to you and will allow you to live according to your values.
At this stage, I use powerful questions and values identification exercises to help you define what is important to you. We will explore your sense of balance related to these values and other key aspects of your life (e.g physical, mental, emotional and spiritual). Session takeaways will typically include small steps or actions to gently move you forward with intention.
Goals
A goal is the next step in the cycle and builds on the intentions created by you. A goal defines your intention in a way that makes it easier for you to take action toward realizing it. By defining your goal (or goals) in more specific terms, it becomes easier to figure out how to get from ‘here’ to ‘there’. It’s like picking a destination for a trip. Once you have decided where to go, you can figure out how much it will cost to get there, what mode of transportation to take, and how long it will take you to reach your destination.
For this purpose, we may use a goal itinerary or other tools to help you define a couple of outcomes that are important to you, or narrow it down to one goal which you would like to focus your time and energy on.
Execution
Execution can be the fun part or the hard part – depending on how you look at. This is where you create an action plan and begin working toward your goal. In my experience, many people are good at setting goals but get lost at this stage of the cycle. Obstacles and challenges present themselves, which is when coaching can be most helpful. Whether an obstacle is external or internal, it is helpful to understand what is getting in your way and how to move the obstacle(s) out or your way or find your way around it.
Using action plans and tracking progress, I will hold you accountable and support you as you pounce into action and begin living the life you have always imagined.
Reality
You made it! This is the stage in the cycle where you reach your destination. It’s time to celebrate your accomplishment and recognize yourself for a job well done. In a fast-paced and goal-oriented culture, it can be easy to dismiss this step and fail to enjoy the results of your hard work.
So, what is next? The obvious answer is that you begin the cycle again. Identify new intentions or revisit old ones. Prioritize again and move forward. However, you might be better served to take a TIGER “Paws”. In other words, take a break. Remember some other key words that begin with ‘R’ – rejoice, reflect, and renew!
