I often wonder why the field of coaching has burgeoned so in the last five years. While supporting others is a great honor and a meaningful livelihood, I have a theory that it is the opportunity that coaching brings to coaches themselves that has made this field blossom in the 21st century. To survive and thrive again, our world requires us to evolve more completely as individuals now. Being a coach uncovers prime territory to be worked.

Coaching as an Opportunity for Evolution

More than any other career, being a self employed coach keeps me working on my growing edge. Sometimes, it's an opportunity to do something, risk moving out of a comfort zone to write and produce an ebook, try something new in trainings, or sit on a panel of experts. But it's the inner work of shifting old paradigms, shaking up beliefs, and learning new ways of managing my states that makes the biggest impact.

Inner Work is as Important as Outer Work

Most of us put our focus on doing things despite the voices within us calling for attention. Eventually, those voices get loud and unruly, finding ways to sabotage the progress we've worked so hard to gain. I see this with coaches, who have put every ounce of their creativity and resources into the mechanics of their business, but still aren't attracting clients. Usually, that means that something isn't in alignment on the inside.

Years ago, I had the privilege of attending a pilot coaching program, an amazing tool for gathering the wisdom of all the voices within. I've used it countless times for coaching my clients and myself. Above all else, I find this model brings respect and compassion for all the parts of myself, allowing me to make changes and take action from the whole of me.

Recently, I read through the updated manual for this valuable program written by Tom Daly, and want to share the foundational pieces with you. 4 Gateways Coaching: Evoking Soul Wisdom begins with a set of hypotheses about life, learning, coaching, and personal growth:

1. All problems and conflicts are opportunities for learning and growth.

2. We get exactly the right issues to further our development.

3. We learn best in open, supportive environments.

4. All positions co-arise with their opposites. Conflict is normal and natural.

5. Everything is connected. The inner and outer worlds reflect one another.

6. No problem can be resolved at the level it was created.

7. When we support others and ourselves to learn new things, we are coaching.

8. We are OK just the way we are.

9. Inner work is as important as outer work.

10. What we resist persists. Blame, anger, resentment, revenge, resignation, and self-righteousness keep us stuck.

The manual then lays out six foundations unique to 4 Gateways Coaching:

1. Acceptance sets us free. When we can own and respect our shadows, the alienated parts of ourselves, we have the possibility of change.

2. Resolutions often come from unexpected directions. The Gateway we have the least access to often becomes the best place to look for solutions.

3. Recurring, persistent issues, and addiction are ways of keeping us close to someone we love.

4. All feelings, emotions, and body sensations are allies.

5. We attack and wound others out of our own woundedness. Real strength comes from knowing and honoring our wounds and then owning our projections.

6. Story, archetypes, and metaphors are food for the soul.

Each one of these 16 statements is a rich meditation unto itself. Spend some time with these, and consider enrolling in the 4 Gateways Coaching program to add an essential tool for artfully coaching your clients and yourself.