I caught up with a former colleague who has turned into a great friend. We live in different areas of the country but connect every few months over Zoom while keeping an eye on each other's social media posts for updates in between.
We talked about potential career changes, the hazards of raising kids, and upcoming holidays. We laughed over remembering a few stories from our shared workplace. Even after not talking for a few months, it doesn't take us long to fall back into shared dialogue and familiarity.
As I was talking about this season of my coaching practice and the goals I have for 2024, he was supportive and empathetic as always. But he said something that stopped me...
"You know, I'd be hard-pressed to find someone in my life who I could call today and could meet me for coffee tomorrow."
He said that beyond his wife and his kids, there wasn't a true friend he could point to whom he would consider a safe spot to share life hardships with, who would be objective enough to give him sound advice, and loving enough to tell him when he may need to adjust his thinking.
He continued to say that he sees THAT as the value of a life coach, in his opinion.
I loved this description. As a life coach, I encounter many people who don't understand what I do and even more who don't care to understand it. The stigma of a "rah-rah" person or the "hippity-dippity" nature of life coaching is all they see or care to see.
But when you stop to consider who in your sphere you could call to have coffee with and talk over deep things related to your life experiences and goals, do you have someone who comes to mind? Someone who holds space for you to share whatever is on your heart, free of judgment, and wholly focused on your best interest?
Who would you invite for coffee?
What would you share as your struggles or goals as you look at the new year ahead?
How would they show up and hold space for your thoughts and feelings?
Why would their non-judgement mean so much to you as a sounding board?
Where would you choose to go for a confidential and meaningful conversation?
As the new year approaches, I want to invite you to have coffee. Let's schedule one hour for your thoughts to be heard, your goals to be shared, and a space dedicated to you.
Send me an email at: kellysantina@gmail.com or complete the form and we'll have coffee in a day or two because YOU matter.