Spring heralds the season of rebirth, renewal, spring cleaning and freshness. We can apply these principles of Spring to our own lives as well, as we dig out of the muck of winter and get unstuck from old assumptions, negative thoughts, and cluttered and unproductive thinking.  Whether you work in a business, in a school, or are relating to personal or professional relationships, it’s time to clean out, throw out, and reach out!

First, let’s clean out the cobwebs. Cobwebs are silky, sticky places that hide spider pods in the cracks and crevices of your home. If left unattended they produce mature creepy crawlers in your home. While we attend to the cobwebs in our homes, we often don’t give ourselves the same cleaning out of murky,  sticky, hidden thoughts that reside in the crevices of our of our minds. Don’t wait until you need an exterminator to get in touch with those cobwebs. Work with a coach to expose the hidden patterns and themes that might be keeping you stuck. It’s time to dust off and gather a fresh perspective!  Sometimes cobwebs are beautiful masterpieces in an outdoor environment that you don’t wish to disturb, but just wish to observe the intricacies and beauty of the design. Sometimes you want to look at the intricacies and patterns in your own life or situation and don’t quite know where to begin. A coach can help you appreciate your personal themes, celebrate your own intricate design and think of multiple pathways to fulfillment. A coach can offer you the presence and the confidential space to say things you have not said out loud. Once you say it, you can address it and make those renewing changes!

Throw out negative thoughts that rob us of necessary energy to put positive plans in place. Negative thoughts are doubt, blame, holding a grudge and not forgiving. It is easy to doubt yourself after a long cold winter. Did I do enough to move my school forward?  Did I do enough to support my staff?  Was I an effective leader? Are we going to see the results we had hoped for in our work? All legitimate questions, but it is important to recognize the other side of doubt which is to foster the confidence and appreciation of what has been accomplished. We’ve been sloshing through the snow, so it’s time to look up and celebrate the sunshine that is breaking through! Blame is toxic to the spirit. It’s time to cultivate the garden of forgiveness and acceptance. I recently heard T.D.Jakes who said, “forgiveness for empowerment is for the strong, not the weak! Not to forgive is like drinking poison and waiting for someone else to die” In this climate of Spring, we have an opportunity to bring a climate of renewal and positive energy to our lives and our environments. Be a balcony leader who beckons people to their higher selves as opposed to a basement leader who bangs on others’ basement pipes.

Finally, reach out. Jettison both the physical junk and emotional junk that clutters your life and thoughts. With a coach you can gain clarity around issues that are keeping you stuck in the old winter muck. It’s time for a fresh look at old issues. What better way to recalibrate than with a coach who will challenge your old assumptions and mental models and be a thinking partner with you as you dream of new possibilities for your life and work.  At Coaching for Results Global, we study the art and science of facilitating learning and planning so that our clients can realize the intersection of their dreams and their results. Have a Happy Spring!

Diana Williams, Ph.D. and PCC
Coaching for Results Global