Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Anticipation

As I write this (June 20) I’m sitting at my Marriott Minneapolis Airport hotel room desk finishing up some work before I head out and connect with my coach peeps at the ICF Midwest Regional Conference (http://icf-midwest.com)! Can’t wait! I’m anticipating lots of great conversation, connection, learning and seeing people I rarely get to see face-to-face. Aaahhh…

Beyond this conference, I’m also in a state of anticipation regarding my personal and professional life. I’ve hit one of those times where it seems extra important to really SLOW DOWN and be truly present about where I am (for real) and where I want to go… not only as a coach, but as an artist, producer and teacher. This slowed-down place is actually a great relief to the fast pace I’ve been in recently. I recommend it.

What are you anticipating these days?

And what about ICF Chicago? Huge anticipation here! The board continues to hone in on what it means to Learn, Earn and Engage as well as how we can support Chicagoland coaches on your professional journey. We have landed in a fun place…by focusing on the credential pathway we will support coaches in multiple ways to advance their credibility, impact and viability, both personally and professionally.

As you’ve heard me write before, one way this is showing up is in the form of a new membership program. And as you may have noticed, we keep delaying the launch due to some back-office technical issues we are ironing out with our website provider. There is nothing like having a dream and then having to wait for it (you know the feeling)! So please keep anticipating the launch. We’ll let you know when it’s ready “for real.”

And hey, just in case you are anticipating some not-so-good stuff…don’t dread! I read that message a few years ago from a very wise person and have let that guide me (when I remember) when I start to worry about what I think is ahead. I repeat…don’t dread! Instead join me in slowing down and letting the present be your friend.

I wish you well and hope to see you at our July 8th Chapter Meeting at 6pm which will focus on how to better track and communicate the impact of coaching with current and potential clients!

With Anticipation,
Wendy Balman

Thursday, June 20, 2013

HelpDesk to the Rescue!

May I Help You? …

…When it comes to your ICF credentialing, whether it is ACC, PCC or MCC, new or sustaining, it is the intent of ICFC to help you move forward.

Meet ‘HelpDesk’; A concept pioneered by this year’s board in response to your voice for growing the value of ICFC membership, The purpose is to encourage ICFC members to take advantage of the opportunity to become ICF credentialed, and leverage that to your advantage.

We will soon be launching a special page dedicated to ‘HelpDesk’ on the ICFC web site. Until that time,
if you are stipulating to becoming credentialed, struggling to sustain your credentials, or have specific questions about it…I am your link. Please send your inquiry, questions or suggestions to Kam Gupta, at citkam@gmail.com or text me at 847-612-4244.

With great appreciation,
Kam Gupta, ICFC Past President

Monday, June 3, 2013

President's Letter-June 2013

Time to Check-in!

These last few months at ICF Chicago have been full of activity and I have consistently needed to pause and check-in with self. One of my favorite check-in tools is the “Clarity Check-in” by Cathy & Gary Hawk (speakers for our VIRTUAL chapter meeting webinar on June 10!!). Let’s do it together (5 minutes):

Step 1: What’s different—State one thing that you have noticed that is now different for you in the last 24 hours.
Step 2: What Worked & What Didn’t Work—State one thing that worked in your performance in the last 24 hours. Then state one thing that didn’t. Remove all judgment. Clap to acknowledge what worked and what didn’t.
Step 3: Check your Personal Energy—What is your State of Mind? State of Body? State of Spirit?
Step 4: What are you grateful for?—State one thing you are grateful for.
Step 5: What is your intention for the day?—State your intention.

Throughout the Day:
You can use this quick check-in before any relational interaction. Pause, breathe, and take a moment to set an intention for your time with the other person. What are you grateful for? How do you want to show up in this meeting? Use this as your “anchor” for the meeting. What’s the “vibe” you want to bring? What’s the “vibe” you want to create?

Personally, I am setting the intention to make more time to renew my creative energy on a daily/weekly basis. 

Now that we’ve checked-in with self, I want to shift the focus and check-in with coaching. As you’ve read in our most recent email blast on May 26, we are launching our new member benefits programs the week of June 9 and part of that launch includes the invitation to be intentional with the 7 Milestones of the Credential Journey. Where are you on the credential pathway? Stay tuned for our launch to find out more and take our Credential Check-in!

By the way, will you be going to the Midwest Regional Conference on June 20-22? I will! Hope to see you there!!!

Enjoy your June!

Wendy Balman, MA, CPCC, ACC
ICF Chicago President 2013-2014