William: It’s been a while now but looking back, what was drawing you toward coaching initially, Patrick?

Patrick: What I wanted was a little vague at first. I wanted change, but I didn’t know what the change should be. I was thinking in broad terms related to direction and purpose.

William: Like many new clients, you had never worked with a coach and weren’t sure what to expect. What was your original concept about what partnering with a coach might look like?

Patrick: When I first thought about getting a coach I almost laughed off the idea. What could any coach do for me or tell me that I couldn’t just read in a book or watch in a video?

And I probably pictured a drill sergeant.

William: Well, being a bossy drill sergeant doesn’t empower clients to honor or advance their own gifts and strengths. Effective coaching liberates a client to call their own shots in life.

So then you took the big leap and we began our coaching adventure. What surprised you in our first sessions together? 

Patrick: There was a kindness and a welcoming spirit that I really needed and appreciated. There was no judgment.

We quickly began defining my central intention for my life – What do I want? The “I” was the key word there. You weren’t ever telling me what I should want. Nor were you ever leading me to where you thought I should be or where you thought I wanted to be.

As we talked about what was most important to me and how I wanted to feel in my life, my main goal suddenly stood solidly before me – I wanted to be creative and write again, and I wanted to tell my stories on stage! 

It was an utter revelation in how dramatic it felt to finally say it out loud to another person, but it was also so natural to do so. I was rediscovering my core passions. 

William: With that dream to tell your stories on stage crystalized, what did you begin realizing about what you might need to successfully bring that dream to life? 

Patrick: Oh, that was definitely a process! Sometimes it was my mindset that needed to shift. I tended to see everything as an either/or. I either succeed or I fail. Everything short of total success I would deem a complete failure.

In other sessions, I just needed practical mapping of new action steps. Previously, it could be hard for me to identify what I needed to do next because of my default relationship with failure and then feeling overwhelmed. Coaching kept me inspired and moving forward.

William: What rewards has your coaching adventure brought you?

Patrick: I feel reconnected with myself. Seeking just any random direction from a drill sergeant coach or following someone else’s assigned goals would have left me feeling empty - even if I had been successful with them.

I started realizing that there have been many successes along the way, and that I can draw on them for inspiration rather than being bossed around by my fears. 

And as far as my goal of telling my stories on stage, I began by joining writing workshops. I performed at online “story slams” to further hone my voice and my confidence. Then I began performing in The Moth’s StorySLAM, telling my stories in front of beautiful, sold out theaters and winning top story of the night on multiple occasions. It all felt like home to me – my central intention was realized!  

William: How has your coaching adventure shifted the way you think about yourself and your place in the world?

Patrick: I know now that my goals actually matter. Sounds so simple. But if I don’t truly value my goals or talents, why should anyone else?

Being this new, unabashed version of myself makes my connections with everyone so much more meaningful now.

* * *

80% of Individuals
who partner with a Certified Coach experience greater Self-Confidence.

Source:
International Coaching Federation
(ICF).

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

“My wife commented how much of a difference she’s noticed in me compared to last year.”

YUTA Y.
Director & Cinematographer
Austin, TX