The beginning of the roller coaster weekend
On Saturday my* beginners ‘graduated’ and did their first ever 5k at our local parkrun. 9 weeks ago these 20+ beginners struggled to run a full minute. On Saturday they ALL ran 30 minutes and more. Non-stop. No breaks. No walking. No complaints. (Well ok, maybe a few “Can we stop now Sherry”).
AMAZING! Always a fabulous way to start my weekend. I am so proud of what the beginners achieve. It’s my 9th beginners course and I have loved every single one.
*And when I say ‘my’ … I do this on behalf of Petts Wood Runners with my co-leader, Donna. You saw a few weeks ago how I gave up being a run leader but I didn’t want to stop the beginners courses because it’s such an amazing experience.
It fits perfectly with my philosophy. Wellness is the 2nd element in my confidence circle. You actually see our beginners ‘grow’. By the end of the course, they walk taller, they have more confidence, more self-belief, they cope better with stress, they’re sleeping better … simply by being active 2-3 times a week and doing something for themselves. Looking after their physical and mental wellness.
The second part of the roller coaster
Then off to Latimer for The Coaching Academy International Coaching Awards. I was nominated in two categories: Executive Coach of the Year and Life Coach of the Year. There were several other awards too and SO MANY nominations.
Last year I ‘nearly’ nominated myself for the Life Coach of the Year Award. I talked myself out of it; I didn’t get round to it; I forgot. Whatever the reason, I didn’t do it.
I look back now and oh yes. I was suffering from imposter syndrome. Big time.
I didn’t think I’d win. I didn’t think I was good enough. I didn’t know if I deserved an award. I didn’t know if any of my clients or followers would support me. Gah.
This time it was different
It was different this because somebody else nominated me. At first, I dismissed the email “please submit a portfolio to support your nomination“. But then I thought “What IF ….” What if I won? What IF this is real? What IF …. I am good enough?
I’ll be honest … at first, I told myself (imposter syndrome again???), it’s just a marketing ploy. It looks good for The Coaching Academy if a published author, podcast host, online conference host is nominated or wins an award. And they’ll probably make me pay for publicity and marketing.
Then I thought … hang on a minute. You VOLUNTEER for The Coaching Academy. You KNOW they have integrity. You WORK with the team. YOU are one of their favourite mentors.
Oh yes. Despite my appearance, despite my inner confidence, despite my expertise, all these thoughts were running round in my head. It was the summer holidays “I’ll never find the time to put together a portfolio“.
Excuse me Sherry but if one of your clients said that, you’d reply “how much time do need?” or “feel the fear and do it anyway”.
I realised that I couldn’t NOT submit a portfolio because it would go against everything I do with my clients.
What’s more, the awards are judged by a panel, so judged on merit, rather than one of those horrible “please vote for me” type awards which I hate. Asking people to vote for me all over again, after the 2015 NCT President elections??? No thank you.
What IF … I win the award
After some mindset self-coaching, I went for it. I put together a pack (despite it being the school holidays) to support my nomination.
I reached out to clients, friends and blog readers like you to ask for testimonials and feedback.
AND (go Sherry) I self-nominated in a second category, Executive Coach of the Year.
Then amazingly, I was shortlisted in both categories. Yay! (Reflecting with clarity this morning, perhaps it is not ‘amazingly I was shortlisted’ but instead ‘not surprisingly, I was shortlisted’. What do you think?).
I booked my place for the Awards Night. I persuaded my husband to come with me.
On the night
We had a lovely evening staying in a beautiful venue, Latimer House, which has wonderful memories for me as it’s where I did my counselling training many years ago. (One of those magical 19th century mansion houses with beautiful grounds in the countryside which played an important part in military intelligence during World War II).
On Saturday night, after a beautiful 3 course meal, and wonderful entertainment from Undercover Artists, finally the big moment when the nominations, the finalists and drum roll ….. the winners were revealed.
The happy ending
I’d love to finish this story with the golden news that I won. But I didn’t. I was one of the Top 3 Finalists.
Quite frankly, I was gutted. Disappointed. I don’t mind admitting that. I wanted to be gracious and graceful but I had really wanted to win. You see, under this quiet exterior, I’m very competitive. One of the reasons, I loved bike racing when I was younger.
Today I feel better and today I can acknowledge my incredible achievement. I have received an invitation to be the keynote speaker at a Women’s Empowerment & Leadership Conference in Pakistan (!) and received some fabulous unexpected feedback about my website from somebody I’d not met before. So it’s all good.
TOP 3 FINALIST in Life Coach of the Year IS something to celebrate. I’d be delighted for any friend who made the Top 3 (and I was for Clara Wilcox in the Coaching for a Cause category – and if she’s reading this, she’d better be celebrating!)
Applying for the award forced me out of my comfort zone to ask for testimonials and feedback. It encouraged me to reflect on who I am and what I have become since starting my business in 2012.
The learning …
The learning for me and for you is that the next time you hesitate, um and ah, about whether to apply for an award, or a promotion, or a job ask yourself “What IF …. I win this award”. “What IF … I get this promotion”. “What IF …. I get that job interview”.
Because if you don’t even try, you’ll never know.
JUST DO IT.
Be proud of you and what you do.
Your turn
Now it’s your turn. What is that one thing that you could do to prove that you believe in you. To prove that you recognise your own self-worth. Your value. Leave a comment below.
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