Handling Adversity the Coach Wooden Way

John Wooden endured far more than losing basketball games or suffering the agony of defeat, yet his attitude paved the way for him to earn the title of the "Winning-est" basketball coach of all time.

Lesson #1: Life isn't fair; I will still make it great.

Lessons on adversity:

While Coach Wooden was growing up, his family endured the loss of two sisters. Wooden's parents placed their faith in God, and they "persevered".

Later, Wooden's father lost the family farm due to an illness that wiped out his hogs, and drought that killed the crops. His dad, Hugh Wooden, never winced. He understood that "blaming, cursing, hating doesn't help you. It hurts you."

John Wooden understood that "whining; complaining, and excuses didn't accomplish anything." No matter what happens on the court or off, "what you do is more important than what you say you'll do."

Make the best of what you have:

When Coach Wooden accepted the Coaching position in 1948 for the UCLA's Bruins the Men's Gym was used by all the schools other teams and was small and inadequate.

Coach Wooden did not "whine or complain" about it. He did the very best he could with the situation he was handed. He held practices at the Men's Gym. For the Bruins games, Coach moved them to larger facilities in Los Angeles - the Pan Pacific Auditorium, the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, and to other facilities.

UCLA's Pauley Pavilion was built 17 years later in 1965.

Lesson #2: Choose your words carefully.

The words you choose to live with are an extension of your integrity.

When John and his older brother Maurice were in the barn messing around, "Maurice grabbed a pitchfork and flipped a pile of manure at John's face. John lunged at Maurice in anger and cursed at him. Their father, had been standing nearby, but instead of reproaching Maurice for instigating the fight, he came down on John for his foul language."

In the Wooden household profanity was forbidden. Hugh never swore and "made sure John understood the severity of his transgression. Hugh whipped" John "with a switch." Coach said, "It was the only time I remember him using it." ("Wooden: A Coaches Life" by Seth Davis)

After that lesson John never used profanity, and he was fond of reminding other coaches that you don't need to use profanity to motivate players.

So what did Coach Wooden say when he was really angry? "Goodness gracious, sakes alive!"

Lesson #3: When something goes wrong the leader, boss, or coach accepts blame. When something goes right give others the credit!

In 1974 during the NCAA semifinals, the UCLA Bruins were favored to win, but lost to North Carolina State. Coach Wooden accepted "full responsibility for that game, saying that his failure to call a timeout and make adjustments was the reason for the loss."

Coach Wooden modeled how great leadership is "the sharing of ideas, information, creativity, responsibilities, and tasks." He listened carefully during his meetings with assistant coaches for new ideas on how do something better during practice. If the idea worked he would implement it and give the assistant coach credit for it. Coach said, "The only thing not to be shared is blame." Leaders that are strong "accept blame, and give credit, when deserved to others." ("Be Quick-But Don't Hurry" by Andrew Hill and John Wooden)

"When a player scored in a game, Coach encouraged him to give a nod to the teammate who had given him the pass or set a pick for him." ("A Game Plan for Life" by John Wooden and Don Yaeger)

Coach Wooden modeled on a daily basis how to handle adversity to his students, coaches, family members and friends for over 70 years. He knew life would always throw obstacles in your path. He never "whined, complained, blamed or used profanity". Coach made the best of what he had, accepted blame when things went wrong and gave the credit to others.

By following Coach Wooden's 3 lessons for handling adversity, you too will respond well to any adversity thrown your way!

https://ezinearticles.com/?Handling-Adversity-the-Coach-Wooden-Way&id=9647190

What Is Creativity Coaching? (By Taisir El-Souessi)

You've probably heard of coaching; life coaching, career coaching, executive coaching... the list goes on. In a general sense, a coach is a professional that can help you develop a fresh perspective, problem solve, set goals and support you as you work toward reaching those goals. So what's a Creativity Coach and why would anyone need one?

Many people think of themselves as not being creative or they put limits on their creativity. You may be one of these people. You might think there isn't a creative bone in your body. You may think that you are creative at work or in other specific areas but not as an "artist" or a "writer." You may be a professional artist, performer or writer who has times that you "get stuck" and can't seem to find inspiration or discipline. Basically ANYONE could benefit from this type of personal growth work because MOST OF US have had experiences that may in some way make it hard for us to create.

What can a Creativity Coach do for you?

A Creativity Coach does some of the basic coaching things I described above but also much more. They can help you with multiple aspects of your creative life or lack thereof. Blocks in creativity can be related to a variety of issues that are practical, emotional, existential and psychological. A coach can help you figure out where to get started or support you in working on issues of confidence that may be stopping you from achieving your goals such as writing that novel or performing on stage. A coach in this line of work typically has some type of experience in the creative arts and understands the difficulties that can arise during the creative process.

Why did I decide to become a Creativity Coach?

I believe that the arts (drawing, music, dance, etc.) are the language of our deepest human connection. They help us tap into the healing that is within all of us. You are an artist. You are a poet. You are a singer. You are a dancer. I believe you were at birth. What happened? Maybe you've been able to hold onto it and flourish in your creativity but sometimes you hit roadblocks and need some support to get going again. Maybe you feel your "creative self" was stolen from you by circumstance or life experience but you want it back. Maybe you feel like no one ever tended that garden but you know there are seeds buried under there that can grow and flourish with some help.

I've been there. This field is important to me because I've seen others flourish through arts exploration and I've had profound personal experiences myself, but I hear from many people that they are not creative or they don't know how to unlock that creativity. Working with a Creativity Coach can help create movement in these areas.

What can you expect from Creativity Coaching?

• identifying and developing creativity goals
• formulating plans that build on your skills
• holding you accountable for making progress
• supporting and encouraging your success
• increase abilities in personal expression
• utilizing arts modalities to gain personal insights
• deeper personal exploration through the arts
• work toward healing unresolved "old pains"

EXAMPLES

"I'd love to paint or draw but I'm just not creative and I don't know how to get started."

This person could use some help making plans for getting started and work on those negative thoughts that are sending them the message that they're not creative.

"I'm not sure where this fear about painting is coming from, maybe because my parents always told me it was a waste of time."

This person could use some support to heal from these old wounds about not being good enough or their creativity being a waste of time.

Thanks for reading!

https://ezinearticles.com/?What-Is-Creativity-Coaching?&id=9336177

7 Tips For Choosing a Coach (By Michelle Perkins)

Coaching is a remarkable process, and it is no wonder that it's caught on and taken off in the last decade. Ten years ago, not many people understood what a life coach was. In 2018, we have to explain less what coaching is, and instead reveal the greatness that could come of working with a talented coach.

I have multiple coaches and coaching/mastermind groups that I participate in. Early on, I worked with coaches to gain knowledge and learn skills, with the idea that I would move on to implement and work on my own.

I did stop receiving coaching intermittently, but always found that the periods without the support, accountability and guidance of my coaches were not as productive, well directed or enjoyable.

The coaches in my life now are the exact right people for me at this time. I feel blessed to have found them (although I don't believe there was any accident in that) and I take the relationships seriously.

Coaching is an investment in real results and change. Whatever the investment amount, it is always an investment in yourself and that differentiates it, in my mind, from many spending options. Coaching is all about the client and every dollar you spend should come back to you in both income and self development (often the part that feels most valuable).

It simply improves the quality of life in a very holistic way if done well.

"Coaching comes from the world of sports and the arts, where athletes and actors receive coaching so that their work will become extraordinary instead of just okay. Coaching gives clients a secret weapon, a competitive edge that their un-coached peers do not enjoy. Coaching takes people from good to great. Coaching is not for dysfunctional people. It is not here to heal the sick and wounded. It's there to help people reach their higher callings and unlived lives, the lives they are not living because they are trapped in their own isolated self-critical egos. Coaching expands their world." Steve Chandler - The Prosperous Coach

So how do you choose a coach. What should a person look for when making that investment in themselves?

Your coach becomes a significant partner in your life's journey, and selecting someone goes beyond qualifications. As coaching has become more prevalent, the number of coaches has increased, as have the certification programs. The field has become easy to enter so choosing a coach can be confusing.

When you are seeking a coach, some of the recommendations I and my colleagues would make so you can experience the highest level of coaching magic are:

1. Ask a coach to give you the experience of coaching with them before you decide to commit. In a conversation, you can get a sense of coaching style, relatability, and listening skills. By the end of the conversation, you should know more about them, but more importantly, you should know something new about yourself.

2. A person who will push you beyond your self imposed limits and see what you can't, but should, see. If someone can hold you as powerful, even when you cannot, they are more likely to help you achieve your goals and discover greatness within you.

3. Your coach needs to be fearless, and more concerned with your growth than with being liked. It's important the coach be able to suggest bold action and address issues that are below the surface. Every client has a "goal behind the goal" and the right coach will be able to uncover the deeper level desires of the client.

4. The person you choose as your coach should relish a challenge, be fun as well as serious, and set a high bar for you and your life. They must believe in you and your ability to achieve the goals you want to reach. They should also be able to see all of your strengths and understand that success in life is more than achieving a single goal. A holistic approach is best, and success on your terms should be the criteria.

5. Are you looking for both self discovery and advisement? Some coaches lead you to your own conclusions and actions with powerful coaching questions. Others may offer more ideas and advice on what to do and how to do it. Some coaches combine the two, and are intuitively understanding of when to ask questions and when to offer advice.

6. How much coaching does your prospective coach receive? If someone doesn't use the services they are offering, it begs some questions. It is critical that coaches work on themselves and consequently are less likely to bring their own issues into the coaching work.

7. Are you interested in taking action? There may be a great deal of clarity needed or decisions to make before you feel ready to act, but nonetheless, action is typically one of the desired outcomes of the coaching process. There are times when people are deeply disturbed or depressed and need to understand their feelings on a deeper level and therapy is a better option. A coach with integrity, who is aware of the difference, will be able to recognize specific needs.

Coaching is one of the greatest support services you can treat yourself to. There is nothing like having an objective, dedicated and trusted advisor whose main objective for you is success (as your define it) with no other agenda. A person who will push you beyond your self imposed limits and see what you can't see about and for you.

If you want the fullest life possible, coaching isn't a luxury as much as a very smart investment in yourself.

http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Tips-For-Choosing-a-Coach&id=9871234

You Are Blessed for Success

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Would you like to inspire others to live their best life possible? If you are an amazing, authentic, and ambitious individual then why not help others to succeed in life? And you can also make a great living in the process, while feeling great because you are making a difference. Coaching is a wonderful profession and it has room for you and your divine gifts.

If you have been feeling like you have no idea what you are supposed to be doing in life or if you want to switch your career, enhance your career, or start a coaching ministry then you are at the right place at the right time. Sometimes we don't quite feel like our life is as happy as it could be, or we feel like we could be making a bigger difference, or we wake up every morning desiring a sense of greater fulfillment. And those are all signs that God still has more in store for us.

I am a firm believer that in this life we go from level to level, meaning that we are always growing and evolving. But growing and evolving is challenging when we allow things to stand in the way. Things like fear, procrastination, self-limiting beliefs, and all of the other success blockers. I have been there. You don't have to let any of those things stop you from pursuing your personal and professional goals.

Imagine all of the wonderful things that can happen for you if you commit to connecting to your next level of purpose. You must realize that God has work for you to do and He has uniquely gifted you to do it, and He has already programmed you for success, regardless of anything that you have been through. I have been through so much in my life and I can assure you that God is amazing when it comes to empowering us to transform our tests to testimonies. Testimonies that help others to live their best life possible. There is a greater version of who we are within all of us and that person deserves to emerge. Every single day you deserve to live a life that makes you smile and feel wonderful. And it is possible for you!

http://ezinearticles.com/?You-Are-Blessed-for-Success&id=10025765

Thank You (By Janet Zaretsky)

Very simple words. Two words. Sometimes they are said as a matter of routine, like when someone says "Bless you" when you sneeze or a waiter brings you a glass of water. It has been ingrained since childhood to thank, appreciate, others. And mostly, there is not a lot of emotion or care when saying something that has been ingrained, taught and done as a matter of routine.

Contrast that to the times when those two words were meant to convey your sincerest appreciation and acknowledgement for something someone did or said that truly contributed to you. At times, those two words cannot possibly capture all the expression of your appreciation.

When you are on the receiving end of a "thank you", do you pay attention? Do you allow the acknowledgement and appreciation to get to you? Do you allow yourself to experience the gratitude of another person and allow yourself to experience how great you are, for contributing to that person?

My experience is that mostly we, you and I, do not allow ourselves to appreciate who we are. We don't get how great we are. We don't allow the sincere acknowledgement of another to sink in, to wash over us and allow ourselves to truly get it. If we did, we would be moved to tears. We would stop saying things like, "it is no big deal" or "no problem". Or even an automatic but not truly felt, "you are welcome". We would allow ourselves to soak it in and say whatever there was to actually say when we allowed ourselves to get how extraordinary we really are.

I recently attended an event that was a thank you, an acknowledgement, of myself and several other people who had contributed to a friend in a very challenging time. We had fun. She had handwritten notes of appreciation and acknowledgement and we toasted her. I was moved to my core. I was so moved by the opportunity of contributing to her and the privilege it was that she allowed it. I was moved by who I am that I would do that. I was moved by the other people that were there in who they are, in contributing to her. It was such a demonstration of those two words; thank you.

I work with people all the time who thank me. I contribute for a living. In my entire career, first as a registered nurse for 21 years and then for the last 20 years as a business success coach, my thinking, my writing, my designing of programs and my coaching is all about contributing to someone else's success. People succeed wildly around me. They appreciate me. Rarely do I let it in, really. I decided, after this event, I am going to let myself really let in their thank yous. And I will do whatever I need to so that other people truly get my appreciation for them.

To you, who took the time to read this, thank you. It is with such joy that I get to write and contribute to you, your success and your quality of life.

Who can you thank today? Who can you allow to truly thank you?

http://ezinearticles.com/?Thank-You&id=9408194

You Are Needed More Than You Know

Do you know that you have something inside of you that can make a huge difference in the lives of others? Sometimes we don't realize that there are people who desperately need what we have to offer. We often underestimate our gifting and purpose, not truly being aware that God has uniquely made us to be a blessing in a powerful way to the life of someone else.

One of the best things you may do for yourself and for others is pursue your purpose as a life coach. As a life coach you can have many opportunities to share your gifts and talents with others and with the world. You can do private coaching sessions, group coaching sessions, lead seminars and workshops, and even write articles or e-books. Coaching is a broad profession with broad opportunities. But you will never have a chance to experience those opportunities if you never pursue your purpose as a coach.

If you feel like coaching is the next best move for you, then what needs to happen for you to move forward? What is stopping you from taking the next step to become a coach? Regardless of what obstacles you feel like you are facing, you can't allow anything to stop you from being all that you were born to be. You must be unstoppable in your quest for success. That is truly something that you deserve.

Just one decision to move forward can shift your life in a more positive and financially rewarding direction. Sometimes our blessings are hidden in unique opportunities, and that can be the case as it relates to you becoming a Certified Life Coach.

http://ezinearticles.com/?You-Are-Needed-More-Than-You-Know&id=9359886

Why Hire A Personal Life Coach?

Here are a few key reasons how hiring a Personal Life Coach can unlock your highest potential.

1. Done with therapy. It can feel great to talk about our problems but it doesn't solve them. We can look at what we think is wrong all day long. Or we can change our perspective. Looking back and analysing only gets us so far. We need to take action.
2. Feeling stuck. People can feel stuck in life and in their current situation. When you are involved in the detail of your life, it can be difficult to see your options. Coaching helps you to see all potential options and understand limiting beliefs so you can really see what is possible.
3. Feeling lost. Many clients find that they have ended up in a career or a relationship and don't know how they got there. It isn't their passion. It may not be what they studied or wished for. They can feel lost and confused, unsure about how to make changes in their life. Their confidence could be low. They experience the benefit of having support, encouragement and accountability that a coach offers. Coaches ask the questions and the clients have the answers. It's about unlocking a persons potential which is lying dormant.
4. Unhappy. People can be unhappy for a number of reasons and become familiar with this state of being. Coaching is positive outcome focused, so we are not relying on analysing the unhappiness and digging up old ground. We look at where you are now and how you want your life to be. And then focus on moving in the right direction.
5. Being Comfortable. Your comfort zone is the zone of safety. Or is it? It is scary yet amazing to feel the buzz when you move out of your comfort zone. Coaching enables people to see their potential and move towards it, without the negative voices or distractions holding you back. The closer you are to moving out of your comfort zone, the louder the voice of doubt and fear becomes. So having a coach is invaluable at helping you to create the life you really want before any self sabotaging behaviours appear.
6. Feeling scared. Change is scary and it can prevent us from taking action which would lead us to our happiest self.
7. Feeling happy. Coaching isn't only for people who relate to any of the above instances. When you are feeling great, this is an excellent time to hire a coach to get you feeling even greater. We are never fixed or sorted. We always have more growing and developing to do. We have so much potential which we can unlock further.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Hire-A-Personal-Life-Coach?&id=9624363

Coaching The Poor In Your Community!

Have you ever walked downtown and noticed homeless people panhandling or sifting through garbage looking for something to eat? How sad it that! Are they mentally ill, addicts or have they made bad choices? How do you really know? Have you walked in their shoes? Did you say a silent prayer of thanks that you are not where they are now? Have you given any thought to the millions of people who work yet cannot make ends meet? Are you one of them?

How can you make an impact and change someone's life living in poverty? Maybe, even your own? Are you concerned that you don't have any time or energy to spare?

What if I told you that it only takes a few minutes of your time? If you watched a great movie or had dinner in an excellent restaurant you would share this information, right? Telling people about the benefits of coaching works on the same principle.

Let's review some of the benefits of having a coach in the event you have never worked with one before.

Coaches help you to:

Get clarity on what you want in life

Develop strategies to reach your goals

Overcome obstacles, low self-esteem and low confidence

Give you support, motivate and encourage you

Hold you accountable to what you say you'll do

Develop greater self-awareness

Improve skills and behavior

This sounds wonderful!

Do your due diligence and look for organizations that are dedicated to helping the poor. Be part of the solution to help those living in poverty!

It's choice - not chance - that determines your destiny.-Jean Nidetch

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