A Coaching Power Tool Created by Maria Shiela Cancino
(Transformational Coach, SINGAPORE)

Each one of us, when born, has received a treasure box. The treasures inside can only be shown to us either when we die or during our lifetime.

According to Les Brown, the graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, and the cures that were never discovered.

In order to discover our treasures during our lifetime, we need to find our keys.

Case Study

When growing up, Carla was always compared to her sisters and peers.

Her sisters were first honors, but she would only receive Most Behaved Student award. Her classmates were talented, and they would always excel in extracurricular activities; she only knows one sport, which is Chess. Her sisters and classmates are beautiful, with fair complexion. She’s dark and never saw her beauty.

Carla’s self-esteem went rock bottom that she would always cry while she asks herself as to why she is not as good as others.

Until one day, her mom saw her crying. She told her, “You have a gift in you, Carla. You just have to unwrap it.”

She did not understand at first what this does mean. On the other hand, her father, who is aware of what is going on with her, would consistently teach her how to play the only sport she knows – Chess.

Self-Application

That Is All

Playing small, avoiding risks, and blaming others are some of the reasons why people get stuck in life.

Some of the examples of getting stuck:

Was born poor and will die poor
Not being promoted at work
Not discovering talents

Fortunately, we can move out from being stagnated (that’s it) to successful (there are more).

There are More

If you can’t find any reason to achieve more for yourself, achieve more for others. from The Treasure Box Keys Speech

General traits/profile of high achievers:

Driven
Are not afraid of failure, and are less impacted by the failure
Focus on self-development
Have a generally positive outlook

Psychology Today:_[1]

They face their fears and conquer them
They stay focused and flexible
They refuse to give up on their dreams
They maintain a spirit of optimism
They think with their hearts
They use their stumbling blocks as stepping-stones

Forbes:_[2]

Have a life mission
Have clear means and ends
Seek new experiences and learning
Find happiness in the success of others
Are empathetic
See their work as a lifestyle
Challenge themselves

Case Study Continued

While Carla slowly acknowledges that she is not as good as others, she joined the Chess Club in her school. This is the only place where she would feel that she can be someone of worth. Carla joined competitions, won, and brought honor to her school. She became popular – Carla, the Chess Master. She finally understood the meaning of what her mom told her of unwrapping a gift.

After college, Carla got a job and is now working overseas as an Accountant. She became a successful Accountant because of her analytical skills, which she developed through Chess.

It was challenging for Carla to work abroad, especially for the first few months, as it was the first time that she would be away from her mom. She would cry every night until she falls asleep. But she wanted to pay her mom’s loans, which she accumulated for their schooling. She told herself that she would continue working overseas up until she is done paying for it. Her mom is her inspiration.

After fully paying her mom’s loans, she is now ready to go back to her country and stay for good. Until she encountered the most significant turning point in her life: during her vacation in her home country, she joined a group sharing of youths in their parish. Carla then heard of each youth’s sufferings and decided to help them with their schooling. She organized a Scholarship foundation called 4S – Share a Secret Spread Success that became her mission to step forward in her life.

As she continuously discovered her inspirations and missions in life, Carla unlocked her potentials as she inspires others as well. She wants to share her secrets of successes; thus, she is doing so by her writings, blogs, songs, and sharing those secrets in her speeches. And this has become her passion since then.

She found the keys to open her life’s treasure box.

The Keys to unlocking the treasure box_[3]

Let’s look at how Carla discovered the treasures in her box.

Her inspirations are her mom and the youths in their impoverished community.
Her mission is the scholarship foundation, which supports underprivileged students in the Philippines.
Her passion is sharing through songs, blogs, and speeches.

Reflection

Who are your inspirations?
What are your dreams?
What keeps you moving?
How do you see challenges?
How would you utilize your strengths?

Coaching Applications

When clients are stuck, it’s essential that we find ways to shift them to self-awareness and then move them into action-thinking.

Some questions:

What will happen if you continue to live this way?
What would it feel like if you are maximizing your full potentials?
What actions do you need to take after learning about yourself and the situation?
What support do you need to move forward?
What can get in the way?
How will you celebrate success?

Reflection

What are some questions you could ask your clients to make them aware that they can achieve more?
What structures can you use to ensure your client is committed to moving forward?
How can you support your client?