It is believed that if we look closely enough, we will find solutions within our problems and difficulties. But this depends on how we react to a difficult situation and bring about a solution. One may not be able to avoid the difficulty but one can definitely face it with the right kind of attitude.
The current novel coronavirus pandemic, affiliated economic woes, and disturbing phenomenon of social distancing are some of the problems that people cannot simply avoid. They, however, can react to the challenges with the right attitude that brings about workable solutions and helps cope with the change.
British expatriate Elizabeth Wood is a life and empowerment coach. In her interaction with Community she has shared how she has been conducting herself while staying at home and what she has to convey to people being a life coach.
“My core values are curiosity, connection and inclusivity. I moved to Qatar from England in 2009 as a fresh graduate, and worked for one of the largest corporate organisations for almost 10 years in the field of public relations and communications.
“I explored a rapid career change and opened Inspire Me – a coaching, mentoring and consultancy company – after hiring a life-coach for myself to discover what my true calling is. I also value fresh knowledge and continuous personal development causing me to seek more education in human behaviour, leadership and coaching. For the last three years, I have been studying what makes people tick, how they are motivated and inspired, and most importantly how they take massive action to live a purposeful life aligned with their core values and potential. My coaching clients are from all around the world, diverse industries, and socio-economic backgrounds with unique human aspirations and beliefs.”
When asked how she has been managing the new normal of staying at home, the life coach said: “I have been spending my time at home enjoying different roles of a mother, wife, mom-schooler and coach, which is not a big change from a regular day outside of the current world-challenges. I have been adapting to the changes of online communication and work-flow and take it day by day. By choice, I no longer see my clients at my office. Rather we meet online via Zoom for their one-to-one sessions. As for my group-coaching gatherings usually held in public spaces, I host weekly webinars for my followers and develop customised programmes online for corporate communities.
“There has been a strong sense of increased solidarity and support from the community, and more than ever my regular attendees have been meeting up online for their weekly dose of positivity and personal growth.”
In response to a question that how she views the health crisis and resultant social change, Elizabeth said: “My take on the health crisis is simply a shift in my own mindset. I reprogramme my mind consciously and reframe what I understand as crisis to something else – something that serves me better. I chose to take it as an opportunity to grow during this time, to re-align with my values, to practise patience and resilience.
“I do not mean that these things come without challenges, indeed they do. However I choose to look at this with different lenses that serve me rather than drag me down. Regarding changing social norms, my take on it is adaptation and resilience. I do what I can to manage with the resources and potential I have. Instead of focusing on what I do not have, I approach the situation with the questions; what do I have? What can I do with that right now?”
When asked what piece of advice she would like to share with people, the British coach said: “Rather than offering advice, as a coach, I will ask thought-provoking questions for others to empower themselves through their own awareness. Advice for one person may not be the perfect solution for someone with a totally different experience of life.
“As an expert of your own life, what are you uniquely learning from staying home? How does that learning align with your core values? What resources do you have that you can personally control? If you were able to be positive about the outbreak, what would that feel like? What is new awareness are you noticing? ”
Readers are welcome to attend Elizabeth’s free weekly webinars every Tuesday evening via Zoom from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Follow on Instagram @inspiremeqa, for updates [email protected] WEBINAR: The empowerment coach says that webinar attendees have been consistently meeting up online for their weekly dose of positivity and personal growth.
