#CoachingCorner: Look Again!
By Master Coach Marilou Butcher Roth
Earlier this week I was having a conversation with one of my coaching clients, and the phrase “self transparency” came out of my mouth. It cracks me up when this happens as it is not a phrase that I have ever used before. After I spoke the phrase, I actually wrote it down so I wouldn’t forget what I said.
We speak a lot in our society about being transparent, within our world, our governing bodies, or companies, etc. How much though are we being transparent with ourselves? How much do we find ourselves engaged in blame or judgment without even the slightest hint of going within to ask what we are truly feeling, or how we may have brought a situation into our experience?
It starts with each of us. If we are consistently looking outside of ourselves, we are missing out not only on major learnings, but the real juice of life! Getting to this place will take some practice and commitment, so don’t expect to master this idea of self transparency overnight.
Begin with this simple exercise - right where you are, notice something around you. Don’t go deep on this, keep it simple. Perhaps you are currently sitting at your desk, what do you see? It is easy for me to use this example because that is exactly where I am sitting. As I take my attention from typing, I am drawn to a ceramic glass or sorts that I put my reading glasses in, gray blue in color on the outside and white on the inside. OK so far? Now it's your turn. What do you see? Now, loop your attention back to yourself. Bring your awareness inward and notice what is happening inside yourself.
You may possibly be having the thought that this is a silly exercise. That’s absolutely okay. This is merely to get you into the habit of being able to bring your attention back and forth between what is happening outside of you and then back within, heightening the degree of information that you are able to access.
This is a skill set that when developed allows you to easily tune into YOU and what’s really happening, hence becoming self transparent!! Tuning in brings you to deeper questions of “what do I really want” and “how is this particular pattern serving me”.
You may even find it supportive to put notes in appropriate locations to remind you to notice. Please remember to keep it simple and have fun!!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
