Curious Wanderer to Intuitive Sailor

Some leaders I have worked with come to me wanting to explore new and sometimes totally different careers.

It is always fascinating to see what unfolds for them in the coaching program.

Here is an example of one client:

Coaching Topic:

What:

Exploring a “simpler” way of living, doing something totally different that might be not only fulfilling but challenging in a way that will develop you in new ways – possibly yet unknown to you.

Why:  

• You want to explore other parts of yourself.
• You are unhappy in your current job. You want to feel fulfilled and passionate about your contributions to the world.  You want to engage all of your talents and hard-earned skills in a bigger way.
• You want to be doing something you truly care about and that makes you happy.
• You love the cycle of gardening, reaping the benefits, and giving back to the earth. This is what you describe as what makes you feel passionate now.

Here is how you are currently operating in this topic.

Current Way of Being Metaphor:

Way of the Curious Wanderer

You have worked hard and been paid well. You are very pragmatic this way. And you are a person with cultivated, refined, and sociable tastes, especially with respect to food and intimate get-togethers.

Films: Babette’s Feast; Like Water for Chocolate; Big Night.  These are about food, love, and nurturing and they are also about causes, desires, effort, group dynamics, goals, etc.

You know you have had a good day when you accomplish most of what you set out to do.  And you like to reward yourself at the end of your day – through cooking and showing your love in this way.

How this has served you:

• You are genuinely and warmly interested in people and have a special talent for bringing out the best in others.
•  You value people's feelings AND value structure and organization. You are very good at holding that organized structure as a place for dealing with “feelings” in an organized way with your employees
•  You value harmony and are good at creating it. You love to make people happy.
• You are creative and imaginative and enjoy variety and new challenges – you bring a sort of “sensory” delight to what you are working on…

 How this limits you:

• Decision-making has taken a bit of a back seat since you have been working remotely. 
• It has been quite easy to just go along with what is for now.
• Not feeling of service in the world fully, making a difference around what is most important to you.

Now here is what we will be working towards through our Integral Coaching.

New Way of Being Metaphor:

The Way of The Intuitive Sailor

He is very comfortable embracing the messy and allowing for a build-up and breakthrough. He has developed his internal life/needs in balance with his desire to be of service externally to his friends/employees/business.

This trusting has become second nature in a sense – but now held in a container of his own intuition and values. He has found this to be a significant creative energy source that is quite expansive now – holding many perspectives and then easily having a “knowing” of what is needed in any given moment and for longer-term plans.

Moving from values, with a passion for life and what will be next.

The exploring he has done is like being a traveler on a journey to new and unfamiliar places.  There has been breathtaking scenery and diverse cultures and obstacles as well.

The spirit of curiosity has served him well. He now feels as if he can navigate the unknown while adapting to what is before him.

He is considering various options having investigated market demands and his own personal preferences.

The Sailor has discovered treasures that were previously hidden in these unchartered waters.  He now sees a clear destination to begin to plot a more specific and direct course.

Here are your Developmental Objectives:

1. You have learned to let things be messy for now to appreciate and trust your intuition to guide you and to lovingly and enthusiastically wait for your new insights.
2. You have uncovered new ways of seeing by paying attention to your Intuition. You have incorporated this into your decision-making process.
3. You have explored various careers (small business, perhaps.) The Intuitive Sailor has developed a perspective-taking that allows you to comfortably consider many different arenas. You may hold more than one option; however, you have a sense of clarity that has emerged, and this energizes you and you trust your intuition to guide you and you enthusiastically wait for your new insights (epiphany?).

In order for you to begin to work towards your New Way of Being, it is important to observe your Current Way in action.  

Self Observation Exercise

Getting to Know the Way of the Curious Wanderer

This exercise is designed to better acquaint you with your Curious Wanderer.  Please simply notice and be aware.  Please do not attempt to change your behavior.  You want to watch the Curious Wanderer in action with accepting awareness.

Throughout the day, notice 1-2 moments or situations when working that you experience the Curious Wanderer is being pulled towards other tasks or projects – or when your mind wanders to strategizing something new.  Notice how you respond to what is calling for your attention. Perhaps do this at the end of your workday.

At the end of the day, take 10-15 minutes to explore these questions and write your answers in your coaching journal:

• What triggered your interest that you found curious?
• When you experienced the “pull” and felt curious about your thoughts on another project or idea:

• What did it feel like in your body?
• What internal conversations were you having?  What story were you telling yourself?
• What emotions were arising?
• What did you do?

• What do you think will happen if you allow yourself to just sit with these “wanderings.”

At the end of each week, take 20-30 minutes to review your daily notes/thoughts and answer these questions:

• What patterns did you see?  Examine the physical, emotional, and mental patterns.
• How do these patterns sustain you and make you feel “happy?”
• What did the Curious Wanderer feel emerging?
• For these wanderings to feel valuable:
•  What would you have to let go of?
• What fear/anxiety arises when you think of letting go of some things that are currently your day to day? 
• What did you learn about yourself that you did not know before?

Often a Foundation Practice is also considered:

This practice is designed to support you in the powerful presence of your Intuitive Sailor as he is developing to be of service to you and all the others that you support. 

Way in:

Prior to beginning this practice, take a few deep breaths and find a comfortable place to sit on the floor or in a chair if that is more comfortable.  Feel the energy of the Intuitive Sailor.

Practice:

Close your eyes and focus on your breath.  Breathe from your nostrils in a steady rhythm.  Be aware of your breath – how it feels coming in and out.  Begin counting.  When you realize you have stopped counting, begin again at 1.  Gently bring yourself back to noticing your breath when you find your mind has wandered.

We included his Curious Wanderer transcending into his Intuitive Sailor.  Both are needed!

My client was able to achieve the desired results in his topic utilizing my unique Executive Coaching methodology. 

Let's schedule a call to discuss the unique challenges that you are currently engaged with.

~ Sheila

sheila@brilliancy.us

https://brilliancy.us

 Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

― Howard Thurman