[Tips & Tools Series]

We've all been there.

Whether you are hoping to help someone else or trying to figure things out for yourself, being puzzled or confused about how to process something is difficult.

In Tom Paterson's STRATOP process he uses 4 clarifying questions that can bring clarity set anyone up for success.

I've personally used these questions to better understand everything from relational interactions to evaluating organizational structure. They are especially valuable for reviewing events and systems and can be used for family, ministry, or work interactions.

BUT WAIT - before you read any further. Pause a moment and pick an actual item you would like to assess. It could be just about anything. Think of a relationship, situation, or even an event where you would like to have a better understanding of what is going on.

Okay - got it? 

Now you can read on!

1) What's right?

Verbalizing what is good about the situation is a healthy and valuable...

Here are 5 other people groups we have seen benefit from coaching certification.

Parents

What a surprise! So many alumni took the training for another reason, but it has significantly affected their parenting. Whether their kids are preschoolers or full-blown adults, coaching shifts not only the conversation but especially the results!

Friends

Ever have a friend that keeps talking to you about the same thing(s) over and over. It's like they are stuck on repeat with the situation they are facing. A couple good coaching questions could change everything!

Adult Children

Talking to your parents about decisions they need to make as they age can be difficult. Coach training gives you the conversational tools to help create awareness without telling others what to do.

Business Leaders

Coaching isn't only for spiritual growth. Collaborative and self-motivated goal affiliation affects buy-in, productivity, longevity, camaraderie, and other vital markers in an organization....

We all have them...  Conundrums are "a confusing and difficult problem or question."

That's the core of coaching really - helping people through the stuff of life.

Every good movie has a plotline with a believable crisis.  Yet, in real life, we don't seem to welcome conundrums. 

James 1:2-5 says, "My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need. But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you."

Just like the enigma had a different code every time - God wants to work with each of us individually. He has a key code He wants to offer for each situation. 

Good coaching = A conundrum + Codebreaking

Good...

Honestly, I'm not a big fan...

What was God thinking when He gave us free will?

He knew we would mess up. He could foresee that all of us would miss the mark of perfection. It was a super risky choice.

When God made humans He made them different than the animals. Let's take a quick look at this passage from James 1:17-25 (highlights mine for further reference)

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your...

Over the years different pastors or leaders have inquired if there were a way to offer coach training for groups of leaders. They were not quite ready to invest at the level of certification but wanted to promote the coaching paradigm in their church, business, or organization culture. 

So, we did group Zoom training. Long before Zoom was a thing I would teach coaching principles from a big screen to groups of people gathered together in a room. It worked well but was limited by my availability. 

Then we offered the coach training videos to individuals. These are the same coach training videos used in the coaching certification course. Yet, like many online trainings, it can be a lonely process or one that gets back burnered.

Different pastors or leaders have asked for a middle option.

They wanted to access the videos and go through them as a group. 

You asked and we FINALLY listened. This option is now available. 

Click here for more info! ...

Ever heard of PPSD? If not yet, you will soon.

We've all been through a lot. Church leaders and businesses have had to move online. Schools were closed or disrupted. There were racial tensions on several fronts. Political issues were divisive. Social media moved from being a place to share pics of babies and celebration events to a rant fest. 

Let's take a quick review. How many of these were true for you?

___You added some new initiatives, especially if you are a church or business leader and you added online offerings.

___You adjusted to different ways to connect with family or friends.

___You learned Zoom or another online video connecting platform. 

___You got some sort of government money and you either needed it because your financial situation was severely affected, or you felt awkward and weren't sure why you were gifted and what, ethically, you should do with the money.

___You had to adjust your life around school being virtual at times.

___You were quarantined...

Jesus Coached Even After...

We talked about the Emmaus Road experience this week at our church, and last week when we were preparing I saw Jesus coaching – again – even after the resurrection.

Read with me and pay special attention to where Jesus asked questions when He could have just revealed taught directly through teaching. (Watch where I highlight in bold and italicized font.)

Luke 14:13-27

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” (Did Jesus really not know? I think He offered them a moment of awareness as He asked.)

They stopped short, sadness written across their...

Coaching isn't just for stuck people.

And t's not solely for dreamers who need to be doers. 

Coaching is for journeyers! 

A good coach partners with you as you clarify: where you are going, how you are going to get there, and what your very next step is. Then, they walk with you as you move forward.

Every believer is on a journey specifically designed for them. 

How's your journey going? 

Who's coaching you!?

Bridges Coaching offers a group of available coaches on our Associate Coaches page. A special welcome and recommendation to Barb Ranck and Jessi Zimmerman making their debut! 

Maybe you can relate...

I love donuts (ok, everyone can relate to that, I hear they even make gluten-free now).

My favorite donut place is Ridge Donut in Greece, NY. I donut go there often (see what I did there?) so I often get confused about which exit to take. I always think to myself “I will know it when I get there”.

The last 2 times, I have overshot and had to take the next available exit then monkey around to get back to the shop.

I could’ve used Google maps. I could write down the correct exit. I could phone a friend.

But I didn’t.

Life lessons can feel that way too.

I am a passionate person and one thing I have been trying to work on is using my emotions as indicators instead of becoming a slave to them. I can feel myself getting angry or overwhelming sad by circumstances that don’t go my way.

Similar to the donut exit, I think I will know what to do when I get there.

But the truth is, I don’t.

There are many resources like the...

You asked for it and now it's here!

Traction is the personal workbook version of the many coaching principles found in Bridges Coaching. It's designed to be used by an individual, a couple, or a team with prompts taking you down the Bridges Coaching ROAD.

R - Recognition 

The process starts off with an assessment tool guiding you toward where to put your focus next. 

O - Ownership

Then, there are awareness questions that help you own your current life and your future!

A - Action Steps

SMART goals aren't just a buzzword for the business world! They really work and you can use them anywhere!

D - Dedication

Maintain your gain with these simple tips.

Don't stall out, get stale, or stay stuck! 

This is the best bang-for-your-buck we know of in the coaching world! It's less expensive than one coaching session! 

If you want a taste of the coaching paradigm, this book is for you.

If you're intent on moving forward in your faith journey, this book is for you.

If you...