20 Ways to Celebrate Coaching - and YOU! | By Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC

As coaches, we know the powerful impact that acknowledgement, championing and celebrating can have in helping both ourselves and our clients be the best we can be. Equally important is taking time to celebrate YOU, who you are, what you do and who you are becoming.

YOU are the tool of your trade as a coach. No matter what kind of coaching you do, or how you serve the coaching community - who you are, how you are doing, how you are feeling, your energy levels, motivation, inspiration and essence have a direct impact on your fulfillment and success as a coach.

Here are 10 Ideas to Celebrate Coaching:

1. Write yourself a heartfelt thank you note as a coach - make it real. You might mention your strengths, things you have helped people with, ways you have given of yourself as a coach and more.
2. Invite a coaching colleague out to lunch and celebrate coaching together.
3. Use social media to spread gratitude for the benefits of coaching and how it changes people lives.
4. Send a thank you note to at least one fellow coach acknowledging the difference they have made in your life and/or your business.
5. Play the song "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang (yes, I went to high school in the 80's!) - get up and dance, have a celebration break in your day and quietly acknowledge coaches everywhere.
6. Make a video about what you most appreciate about being a coach or what you most love about coaching. Share it on social media.
7. Attend your local coaching chapter event and connect with fellow coaches.
8. Create some coaching affirmations and make your own inspirational card deck or poster filled with messages that celebrate what the heart of coaching means to you.
9. Celebrate your client's successes. Their success is your success.
10. Write a story about how coaching has positively impacted you (or with permission from your clients, share a client's story).

Here are 10 Ideas to Celebrate YOU:

There is value in celebrating! It is meaningful to pause, reflect, take a step back or away from the ordinary, to really shine a light on all the extraordinary things you accomplish and contribute as a coach each and every day. Celebration is a way of growing ourselves as coaches.

1. Schedule a self-care day (or morning, or hour, whatever you can fit in) - this time is dedicated to nourishing your mind, body and spirit in any way that feels special and meaningful to you.
2. Buy yourself something special to celebrate YOU - give yourself a gift of gratitude just for being YOU.
3. Find a symbol (it could be an image or an object) that is your "celebrate you" symbol - have this nearby - perhaps put it on your desk or somewhere you can see it each day to remind you to pause and celebrate and acknowledge yourself on a regular basis (I have a glass heart on my desk and it reminds me to acknowledge the ways I let love lead in my life and my business, I take mini moments to celebrate, notice and remember this during my days, weeks, and beyond).
4. Pick a favourite song that you love to listen to, cue it up and stop everything else you are doing. Imagine one of your clients has called into a radio station and dedicated this song to thank you for being an amazing coach! Sit back, listen, enjoy.
5. Start a "feel good" folder and any time a coaching client sends you a thank you note, or you receive feedback that makes you feel good, add it to your folder. Take time to review the contents of this "feel good" folder from time to time and allow yourself to be inspired and uplifted.
6. Put some fresh flowers in a vase on your desk, invite fresh and vibrant energy into your workspace and into your being. Celebrate your creative energy.
7. Make a list of at least 20 things (moments, experiences, coaching wins, new learning, favourite memories etc.) you want to remember and acknowledge from this past year.
8. Draw a picture or make a collage that captures all that you might like to celebrate at this time in your life.
9. Meditate for 5 or 10 minutes. Allow your mind and body to relax. Breathe in gratitude. Celebrate this one moment, on this one day. Notice your own aliveness. Celebrate that!
10. Give yourself 20 minutes and make a list of all the things you have accomplished and contributed in your coaching business. Include volunteering, clients helped, workshops run, products created. What else have you done, what other ways have you made a difference in the world as a coach? Think back to when you started and work your way forwards, writing down anything you're proud of! Then re-read the completed list - and celebrate YOU!

Wrap-up:

Now you have lots of ideas. What will you do to celebrate and nourish YOU at this time? How will you celebrate who you are, reconnect with your own value and well-being and create a positive ripple effect within you and your work in the world? Choose one or more actions and make a commitment to yourself.

If you liked this article on celebrating, you may also like:

• Use Affirmative Writing To Get Clients Unstuck And Connected To Their Goals | by Lynda Monk
• Remember to Celebrate YOU! 3 Quick Questions to Ask Yourself
• Ask These 7 Coaching Questions to Celebrate Your Clients Achievements!

Contributing Author:

Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC, is leader of The International Association of Journal Writing, an inspiring membership community for journal writers worldwide. She is known for her profound insights into the therapeutic and life-changing power of journaling. Through her dynamic speaking engagements and educational sessions, she inspires individuals to harness the power of writing to heal and transform their lives.

Lynda is the co-editor and co-author of several books including Affirmations for Self-Love – a guided journal; The Great Book of Journaling; Transformational Journaling for Coaches, Therapists and Clients; and Writing Alone Together.  She co-authored, along with creativity coach Eric Maisel, BE A GREAT COACH! A Guided Journal for Coaching Mastery & Success. They also co-created The Art of Journal Coaching, a comprehensive training program especially for coaches, helpers and others who want to make a difference with journaling.

Lynda is Registered Social Worker and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, with 30+ years’ experience in the areas of burnout prevention, self-care, resilience and writing for personal growth. You can learn more about her work at IAJW.org and lyndamonk.com. Click here to access her FREE gift and Journaling Museletter for ongoing inspiration >>

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