Coaching World Issue 9: February 2014 | Page 35

A Triumphant Journey At 36 years old, I was a married woman with three children and a stifling career in computer technology. Like many women I know, my life was devoted to taking care of others: my daughters, my son, my husband, friends, parents, nieces and nephews. I didn’t pay much attention to my own needs—or potential. An unexpected conversation with a perceptive young colleague changed my life forever. “Chaya,” she said, “you aren’t happy. You have so much to offer to the world. What would you have to do to create the life you really want to lead?” We could call that conversation a mini-session of coaching. It was a catalyst for a deep fundamental change in me. I began to think about what my dreams really were. How could I bring my buried desires to the surface? This process sparked a whole chain of questions as I looked around at the women in my community, wondering what they might be capable of if they could make the space to explore their own gifts. This exploration led me to my true passion: I decided to become a coach. Eight years later, I feel accomplished as I watch the women I personally coach blossom into their best selves, and I feel nourished as I get to enjoy the chain reactions of the women who are participating in the coaching program I’ve developed and will in turn begin their own coaching practices, empowering others and themselves in the process. ­—Chaya Albelsky, MCC Are you a conscious coach? The Coach Questionnaire Number of years coaching: 8 Favorite powerful question: I have many. The favorite powerful question has to be the most profound powerful question in the moment. Favorite quotation: I was raised speaking three languages: Hebrew, Yiddish and English. To quote in Yiddish, my mother tongue, “Tracht gut vet zein gut. Think positively, and you will see positive results.” The concepts of positive thinking, affirmations and positive psychology have significant merits for coaches. Science has shown that just by thinking positively, we can experience positive results. The triumph we discover in the process of the coaching journey begins with this favorite quote! Advice for fellow coaches: My quintessential piece of advice and my own tagline is based on AbrahamHicks’ Law of Attraction: “You attract as good as you are.” Walk your talk by having your own coach; you’ll find the money invested in yourself comes back to you and that your own personal growth is mirrored in your clients and in your coaching business. M ost amazingly, as you get past real stuck points in your own life, you’ll hear the same thing happen in your clients. We want to hear your reflections on professional coaching and what it means to you. Email the story of your coaching journey to [email protected] to be considered for a future issue of CW. Please aim for a word count of 100-150 words and include a highresolution photo of yourself with your submission. Coaching World 35