How to generate and capture transformative energy.

When I begin a coaching relationship, I encourage my clients to create a space for the work that they are about to do, which will help them to get the most out of coaching. When I say space, I’m talking about space in both the physical and the internal realms. 

It is essential that you create a space for this powerful, precious work of exploring what is most important to you, why it matters, and how you will take empowered action for that work.

Physical means literally having a place to keep notes, to write or draw in between sessions, to track what you’ve said you’ll do and then note what happened as a result.

By doing this, you are creating a dedicated space – a container – be that a file folder, journal, binder, or digital file to:

• Hold your thoughts, reflections, research, ideas, questions.
• Capture the names of people you want to connect with or get support from.
• Write down any promises you’ve made to yourself for actions that you’ll take between sessions.  

The physical realm is also about putting the  commitment you’re making on the calendar so that you’re creating a container with time – committing to the time needed for the coaching sessions as well as taking a few minutes in between sessions to:

• Reflect on the conversation.
• Note what emerged for you.
• Notice connections from previous conversations.
• Schedule time when you’ll follow up and do the activities that you’ve committed to.

Equally as important as creating space in the physical realm is creating space internally – creating space with your imagination.

That means taking a walk, or sitting somewhere you enjoy – by the water, or in a cafe, and letting your thoughts roam.

• What are you hoping for as you enter coaching?
• What will be different?
• How will you know?
• What would someone watching you see – how would they know by watching you or listening to you that something has shifted? 

Giving yourself time to drift in your imagination is very important space creation. Also noticing your feelings as you imagine the work you want to do and its effect is important.

• Do you notice sadness, excitement, fear, a blockage?
• Breathe and allow the feelings to take up some space in you.
• Jot down some of the feelings that you’re noticing, and ask them what they want you to know.

Years ago, when I first started working with a coach, I didn’t create a container for the work. Yes, I took notes during the sessions, and my coach would often send me follow-up materials to read that were relevant to what we’d discussed.

The work was powerful and contributed to me advancing in my career and work. But, because I’d taken notes in whatever notebook I had handy, rather than pulling them all together, I wasn’t able to go back and see the progress in my thinking or actions. 

As a result, there was a loss of energy and momentum. I had not created a place, a cauldron, where disparate ideas could cook, side-by-side, becoming denser and more rich – a place I could return to for even more insight and power.

Whether you are working with a coach, in therapy or doing your own daily or weekly journal writing practice it is important to set aside this internal and external space for the work.

Creating this space for yourself will help you get the results you desire and exponentially increase the transformative energy of your efforts.