![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alchemyfor.life\/balancecoaching\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/592px-Ronald_graham_juggling-296x300.jpg\")
I do a few things. \u00a0As you know I teach balance, I write about balance, and I speak about balance. \u00a0I figured out what life is made of, and what we spend it on.<\/p>\nI do a few things. \u00a0As you know I teach balance, I write about balance, and I speak about balance. \u00a0I figured out what life is made of, and what we spend it on.<\/p>\n
In addition to this, for the last 14 years I’ve helped small and medium businesses with technology – building the web, solving problems, translating technical into simple English.<\/p>\n
Sometimes I see parallels between the balance coaching\/writing\/speaking and the technology helping\/designing\/teaching.<\/p>\n
When I see requests for coaching and the prospective cochee* says “one time only” that would be one of those times.<\/p>\n
It’s awesome when people want to be coached and find balance, get more energy, find direction and or find more time for what they want. \u00a0Some people, however, decide that they just want ‘one.’ \u00a0One what? \u00a0One time only<\/em>. \u00a0They just want a session, and they’ll take it from there.<\/p>\n In the world of technology things get broken, things need fixing, and systems need to be maintained. \u00a0Sometimes something doesn’t work and a new thing has to be implemented. \u00a0Sometimes the business changes, or expands or evolves and the technology has to change with it.<\/p>\n If there’s a minor problem, then yes I can figure out the fix, and fix it. \u00a0But, I’m not doing a very good job if I don’t take a step back to see what might have caused the problem in the first place. \u00a0Maybe it’s not actually broken, but it’s just outdated and will no longer work in your environment. \u00a0Maybe it’s being used wrong. \u00a0Even the best hammer makes a crappy wrench.<\/p>\n Fixing something only to have it happen again in a few days didn’t really fix the real problem. \u00a0Saving a few dollars to apply a quick fix…<\/p>\n [Warning: this is the part where my brain goes “Aha! He’s trying to sell something… lalala I’m not listening to your sales pitch… lalala<\/em>]<\/p>\n … only to apply it again and again is not very cost effective. \u00a0And it can be very frustrating for both the fixer and the person getting the fix. \u00a0You have to look at the system as a whole. \u00a0Once you examine how things work, and how you want them to work, you can design and apply a new system. \u00a0Sometimes the changes are subtle, sometimes the changes are astounding. \u00a0But invariably if you just look at one single problem and just try to ‘fix’ that, you miss the big picture.<\/p>\n If you have ‘one time only’ or ‘one technology visit only’ or ‘one coaching session only’ then at very best you can get a fairly general answer to what must be a specific and personal (or environment specific) question. \u00a0Or a quick fix to a problem that will probably return again, because it’s not the cause but the effect. \u00a0You’re addressing the symptom and not the condition.<\/p>\n In the technology world changing to new software or email, or appliances is just the first step. \u00a0You and your users have to have a comfort level using it – after you make sure it does everything you need and addresses the issue it was brought in to fix.<\/p>\n In the coaching world you can’t just say “well, if that happens do this.” \u00a0You have to have a really amazing system and a way to visualize things – especially since some concepts are conceptual and intangible. \u00a0 Then you gather information, take a step back and absorb. \u00a0Then you chat and listen carefully, and the coach and… that person that’s coached<\/em>, work together on a system and a plan. Implement, check, revisit, monitor, smile. \u00a0Enjoy more time, less stress, more energy, new goals reached.<\/p>\n In the tech world the same thing happens. \u00a0You can’t just say oh “just do this” and then run out the door. \u00a0That’s not helpful.\u00a0You have to have a really amazing system and a way to visualize things – especially since technology needs to be explained in English. Then you gather information, take a step back and absorb. \u00a0Then you chat and listen carefully, and\u00a0consultant and client work on a system and a plan. \u00a0Implement with users on board, verify, revisit, monitor, smile. \u00a0Enjoy stress free productivity, more efficiency, happier users, less risk, a more agile business.<\/p>\n When I work with a new technology client, one of the most common exclamations is “I didn’t know I\/we\/you could do that.” \u00a0This is in reference to a solution to a nagging issue they (and their previous IT people) \u00a0have been unable to address. \u00a0They’ve experienced cookie cutter answers, or worked with IT that have been married to a particular technology only *cough* Outlook<\/em>. \u00a0Finding that we can have a solution that fits them, and that there is a better, friendlier, less expensive, more efficient and more pleasant way to do things makes them say that.<\/p>\n This doesn’t really happen from a one time only visit. \u00a0The first visit is chatting with humans, hearing concerns, seeing if we are a fit, and then assessing their systems and how they use them.<\/p>\n One of the most common aha<\/em> moments I get when I work with a new coaching client\u00a0 is “I didn’t know those two things were connected.” or “That comes from that? \u00a0Huh.” \u00a0When they fill out the Balance Sheet and we delve into what they want to do – what’s in the way and their lack of time – we see connections. \u00a0These connections show why things happen. \u00a0In addition, their goals actually spring up from this same sheet of activities. Wanting to be more active creates a goal of taking a yoga class\/getting back into archery. \u00a0Wanting more energy and wanting to meet someone spring forth the goal of rewriting their dating profile.<\/p>\n This can’t really happen in a 1\/2 hour or hour conversation. \u00a0You can spout a number of quick fixes, but no matter how good you are at this sort of thing it’s a bit naive to give armchair kneejerk guidance without seeing the big picture. \u00a0In fact it may be detrimental. \u00a0In fact I know it is.<\/p>\n So, if you’re looking for coaching guidance – to be a better speaker, get career guidance, find more time, be happier – resist the urge to do it ‘one time only.’ \u00a0As I’ve tried to detail above, the value comes with having the coach work with you – together. \u00a0Make sure they have a really cool tool that helps you visualize things too.<\/p>\n If you have technology concerns, or desires, take a step back and reach out to find someone to look at the big picture with you. \u00a0Insist they speak non technical terms with you and put themselves in your shoes to determine what’s best for you – erven if that big picture doesn’t include them.<\/p>\n If you have technology concerns, or questions, feel free to reach out to me, \u00a0I am always happy to asses and at the very least point you in the right direction.<\/p>\n If you’re curious about having balance – finding more time, energy and resources to do what you really want in life, take a look t alchemyfor.life and let me know if I can help.<\/p>\n If you find this useful, like it and share it. \u00a0Thanks!<\/p>\n <\/p>\nOne Time Only<\/h3>\n
I didn’t know we could do that.<\/h3>\n
I didn’t know that was connected.<\/h3>\n
Friendly Advice or a Subtle Ploy. \u00a0Probably Both.<\/h3>\n