 By Jon Hobbs, #RideTheWave Coach
Approaching the final module on my RideTheWave training programme, I felt excited and wistful. Excited to complete the programme that had inspired me to reflect on my life, my choices and my career to date. Excited to see the other coaches that I’d grown to appreciate more and more through the duration of the course. Excited to see where I take this new qualification and continue on my development pathway to becoming an accredited coach. Wistful about the end of a 4-month process that had become an important part of my development as a person.
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 By Jane Bruce, #RideTheWave Coach I’ve never been one to rush. In fact I’d go so far as to say that I actively hate rushing. I have a solid reputation in my household as the last to get up and the slowest to get ready - more a case of ‘get up slow’ than ‘get up and go’. And yet my professional reputation as a leader, is that of someone who gets stuff done quickly.
I never feel like I’m moving at pace so this contradiction has always puzzled me a bit. By Jon Hobbs, #RideTheWave Coach
One of the unexpected benefits of a coach training programme for someone relatively new to the field, such as myself, is the enjoyment of actually receiving meaningful coaching for the first time in my life. As I completed the second of four modules with my wonderful cohort of 15 other coaches, I’ve had the pleasure of receiving free coaching from some incredible individuals. Andy Griffiths is a highly experienced lawyer and Partner at Weightmans. He is an Accredited Executive Coach with the Association for Coaching and a highly valued member of the #RideTheWave Community.
We asked him what he believes the benefits are for legal professionals gaining coaching skills. He suggested there were 4 important key areas which were impacted though effective coaching... By Jon Hobbs, #RideTheWave Coach  On Friday 8th and Saturday 9th January, I had the pleasure of engaging with 18 wonderful people on a coach training programme with #RideTheWave.
I came into the course with no formal experience of coaching and only a vague understanding of the entire concept. Retirement is an emotive word. For some it means a long-awaited oasis of leisure time, fulfilment of life dreams, taking up new hobbies, more time with family and friends, along with many other well-deserved “own” time activities that retirement finally provides them with the time to do. For others it means that as well as some of the above they also want to find a new purpose for themselves personally and professionally. People in “retirement” nowadays still have such a lot to offer their industries and communities with their many years of accumulated wisdom, life experiences, skills and knowledge. They may be “drawing back” from one area of their career but not from meaningful engagement and purpose...  Wave 2 of our #RideTheWave coach training programme which began in September 2020 was a workshop with a difference. This time, aspiring coaches from across the world dialled into our virtual classroom (aka the Beach Hut!), to begin their training to become professional coaches.
We approached the virtual experience with some trepidation, curious as to how the journey to become a coach might be different in a virtual world, rather than face to face. However, on the Welcome Call the group began to collaborate, learn and laugh immediately, reassured by the opportunity to use the chat and get to know each other in the breakout rooms. One of our new #RideTheWave coaches commented: “As an introvert who is massively out of my comfort zone, I felt the Zoom protocols worked well for me personally. The 'chat facility‘ on Zoom was excellent and allowed another avenue for communication.” By Coach J' , #RideTheWave Alum
Standing ankle-deep in the sea on the pebble beach of Praia Da Garajau in Madeira, I looked as far as my eyes could see. Where the sky appears to blur into the sea, and the clouds created random stepping stones, had me reflecting on my journey to become a qualified coach and mentor - what I should be doing versus what I am doing. Basically, I wanted to have a bit of a pity party. But instead, I had an a-ha moment, and for the first time in years, I felt connected to my vision and dreams. I saw my fears and acknowledged that I am the only person putting limitations on my both my coaching practice and personal life. Beyond how far the eye can see is unlimited possibilities for anyone who dares to look in the distance. Such an overwhelming moment, that renewed my faith in me and unblurred my vision - not only could I see my dreams come true, but I felt its energy in my body. That moment was quickly broken as a wave came and almost swept me off my feet. But I stood firm, and it felt so good to stand strong against the stone-cold wave that had come up to the shore of the beach and covered my legs - an unpredictable force of nature. As I watched the water recede, I became curious about the formation of a wave and wondered what I could learn from the motion and formation of waves.
Here's the chance to learn a little bit more about Co-Founder, Sonya, as she talks candidly to Stephen Clements, in his podcast - The Curious Coach.
By Lucy Bramley, #RideTheWave Alum
Do you have a robust plan for work and life? Have the next 5 years all mapped out? Look back on your life’s achievements with pride at a job well done? No, me neither!!! I bimble through life on a rollercoaster of trepidation, joy and guilt. I regularly feel that life is something that happens to me. I’m usually surprised by deadlines and tend to look back on each day feeling that, although I’ve been busy, I’ve just not achieved much. Let’s talk about techniques that you and I can utilise to make us feel more in control, and some simple tools to recognise our efforts and achievements. |