Moving along

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. Walt Disney

I feel good.

My oral exam, the last requirement for my professional coach certification with the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) was this morning. It was harder than expected. I await this week confirmation of passing in the form of a certificate and logo to mark 8 months of study: weekend modules in NYC and Toronto, study guides, workbooks and book reports to complete and weekly tele-classes, audio recordings and peer coaching sessions.

Over a 20-year career, the heart and soul of my work has been helping people to learn: I’ve designed, implemented and evaluated classroom and online learning programs in varied industries – fitness, childbirth education, aeronautics, telecommunications, transport, pharmaceutical and human rights education.

The iPEC program was my first experience as a participant in a blended learning program, that is, studying through a blend of online and face-to face delivery of content.  Being a participant (and not the developer), offered a new perspective on instructional design processes, teaching methods, content delivery and technology. As a consumer, you want the best for less. Lesson learned: I have new insights into how I would like to create a blended learning approach for my clients who would benefit from group coaching and learning together.

This learning experience also highlighted in neon lights, how adults, like any other student needs emotional support, direction and feedback from their teachers, coaches, mentors or colleagues. And, adults also need short-term goals to experience quick wins to stay motivated and "in the game".

My classmates were high on enthusiasm and commitment to this intense learning process. In spite of high motivation in my NYC and Toronto groups, everyone had at some point dips in confidence, self-doubt and uncertainty, concern about their ability or skill, a challenge in understanding a specific concept or stress from juggling coach school as well as their other professional and personal obligations. Lesson learned: we all need help along the way – encouragement, acknowledgement, instruction and reminders to take one step at a time.

This year my focus is on 1) creating a transformative coaching process for my clients discovery and growth 2) giving inspirational talks to new audiences 3) creating my own series of teleclasss and 4) continuing to write this blog.

What’s your focus?     

Keep me posted,

Coach Minda

p.s Let me know if you have any questions or topics you would like addressed in this blog. Don't be shy to contact me if you have any questions or ideas to discuss.