Sept.2016 
          Vol 9, Issue 8                     
Creative Coaching Group
LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT
 the Creative Coaching Group newsletter
  
Ever had one of those weeks, months or years when you felt like you were in a "holding pattern"? When you were putting in a lot of effort and yet seemed to not really be completing anything, or worse, standing still?
 
2016 has felt that way to me so far. Nothing quite landing.  After I stopped my internal self-pity-party, I began thinking in a more generative way about the opportunities this period of "no progress or change" could hold.

Read the feature article below to get some perspective on the considerable benefits that a holding pattern period can provide. You might be pleasantly surprised!
 
Here's to enjoying the ride,
 
Cheers, 
  jan signature  

Jan Carley BA, CEC, PCC  
 Professional Certified Executive Coach     
 Creative Coaching Group e:jan@creativecoachinggroup.com  
Feature Article:  The Benefits of Being Stuck in a Holding Pattern 
Anyone who has flown, will have, at one time or another, been in the frustrating position of being stuck in a "holding pattern" - when the plane is forced to circle round and round until given the all-clear for landing. Our lives or businesses also go into a holding pattern at various points. Experiencing those delays when you are itching to land at your destination can be both tedious and tiring.
 
A holding pattern is described as being a "state or period of no progress or change". Now that sounds pretty negative. What if we reframed a holding pattern as being a necessary and strategic part of our journey?
 
5 Strategic Benefits a Holding Pattern Gives 
 
1/ Time for Creative Thought
The air traffic controllers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta - the world's busiest airport - land planes almost every minute. Like those air traffic controllers, if you are constantly "landing your plane" you don't have a second to do anything other than focus on the task at hand. We know that a reflective practice is a powerful mechanism that helps deep learning take place and has a positive effect on our performance. It is pretty much impossible to reflect when you are constantly landing planes. Being in a holding pattern gives you valuable time for creative thought and expanding your thinking beyond the immediate task before you. A holding pattern gives you space and time to dream, grow and learn without the pressure of crashing your plane.
 
2/ Time to get Clarity
A holding pattern gives you time to get clarity on why you are in that place of stasis. Sometimes a holding pattern can feel uncomfortable because when you stop the physical act of moving, there is time to think. Some of those thoughts may be uncomfortable yet be the very ones that will facilitate your landing. There are lots of good reasons for a plane to be in a holding pattern - traffic congestion, poor weather or runway unavailability. What might be the reasons for your not being able to land right now? A holding pattern gives the opportunity to stop, and reconnect with your life and vision - and where you ultimately want to go. Once you gain clarity, you can move forward with purpose and intention.
 
3/ Time to Regroup and Re-energize
A holding pattern gives you the opportunity to stop, breathe and let go. You can open up mental space and add energy to get moving again. Take advantage of the downtime - the in-between time - relax, and read a book. Look out the window and enjoy the ride. Letting go of attachment to the result of the landing will allow you to be present in the moment.
 
4/ Time to Get Present
The landing is the end result of the flight. A future state. The holding pattern is part of the journey. Trust the moment and approach your holding pattern from a learners perspective (what can this period teach me?). By reconnecting with the value of the present moment you begin to really live the journey and can experience the important lessons to be learned right here, right now.
 
5/ Time to Prep for Landing
Giving you time to prepare for the landing is an obvious benefit of a holding pattern. Are all of the pieces in place to ensure a smooth landing? Are you fully prepared for the landing and for what comes next? What do you need to be or do to ready yourself? Is some clearing of your landing strip needed? Are there other interferences to remove?  Is it the right time to land? The holding pattern gives you the time to slow down and prepare. What will be important to have in place for the landing and the next flight you take?

Lightbulb of the Month
blue bulb
  
"No amount of energy will take the place of thought. A strenuous life with its eyes shut is a kind of wild insanity."
~Henry van Dyke, American author (1852-1933) 

Attention: ACC Coaches renewing your ICF credential
If you are an ACC Coach wanting to renew your credential, or if you are pursuing your ICF Credential through a Portfolio or ACSTH path, this 3-month course with instructor and mentor coach, Jan Carley, will fulfill the 10 Mentor Coaching Hour requirement.   Fall Cohort begins October 3rd/Spring Cohort begins April 10, 2017. Max. 10 participants.
FINDING YOUR OVERTONE publishing process on track
To keep you all up to date on the progress of my new book - we have now gone through the ever-so-painfully-detailed editing and proofreading phases and the book is now at design and layout. Woo hoo!  Still aiming to have it in your hands by late November.
You can support the writing of my new book by pre-purchasing FINDING YOUR OVERTONE - A GUIDE TO PERSONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS at a special discount price of $20 (includes shipping!) and you'll also receive several pre-sales bonuses.  Go to www.findingyourovertone.com
About Jan Carley  

Jan Carley is a Professional Certified Executive Coach credentialed with the International Coach Federation. Known as a high-performance catalyst, Jan specializes in coaching individuals and teams to focus and clarify their vision and leverage their signature strengths to open possibilities and maximize their performance potential.  

3rd edition of Jan's book  

Jan's book, Harmony from the Inside Out, has been acclaimed worldwide and is now in its 3rd printing. Her second book, Finding your Overtone, will be released in November 2016.    

 

Jan is Associate Faculty of the renowned Royal Roads University Executive Coaching Program, a Professional Mentor coach and a certified facilitator of the Strength Deployment Inventory ™ .    

 

Jan lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and is available for individual & team coaching, workshops and speaking engagements worldwide. PCC logo

Contact Jan email: jan@creativecoachinggroup.com     

 
Quick Links
Jan' Coaching Company :  Creative Coaching Group
Jan's work with Barbershoppers:  Inner Coach of Barbershop
Jan's popular book:  Harmony From the Inside Out
Jan's new book (to be released 2016)  PRE-SALES: Finding Your Overtone 
If you would like to reprint any part of this ezine in your blog or newsletter, please feel free to do so as long as you include the following credit information: Jan Carley inspires possibilities and leverages peak performance by coaching from the "inside out." Sign up to receive her free 15 page report, 5 Ways to Instantly Focus for Harmony and Success, and receive a free subscription to Jan's monthly coaching e-newsletter, LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT.   Creative Coaching Group www.creativecoachinggroup.com
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