Chances are, if you are reading this blog – you have been coaching leaders for a while. You probably have a designated space for coaching appointments either in your office, or a quiet place in your home or your favorite “third” space e.g. Starbucks. You might be a pastor, church planter or denominational leader. Where-ever you meet with people or conference by phone; eliminating distractions is paramount.
Here are some common distractions that people endure during a typical workday:
- phone calls
- people interruptions
- multi-tasking (self-inflicted)
- mind-wandering
The list goes on and on, but the environments in which we coach either enrich or detract from our ability to focus. Reality is, distractions are costly: Length of Distraction + 23 minutes & 15 seconds = True Length of Distraction. All well and good. But what can you and I do to combat & win the battle over distractions:
1. Create an uncluttered, “conversational” environment.
2. Shut-down devises – not in use.
3. Communicate to pertinent people (administrative assistant/family members/colleagues) your coaching hours.
4. Stop multitasking – you are not as productive as you think! See How Distractions At Work Take Up More Time Than You Think.
5. Be present: there are many ways to do this. One way I’ve found helpful is a standing desk with a wooden, adjustable stool – see image above. Standing gives me the flexibility to walk around or shift my weight. A wooden stool is not built for comfort and forces me to stay alert! And is good for my back.
These are just a couple of tips to stay engaged during a coaching conversation. What suggestions do you have? Please share your wisdom below – I would love to hear your thoughts.
InFocus is launching it’s first Developing Coaching Excellence Collective to give you an opportunity to sharpen your coaching skills. This is uniquely designed to assist leaders who coach disciplemakers and church planter/multiplication leaders. In addition, since certification is a priority for some, the 10 hours are applicable to the International Coach Federation credentials including the
- Associate Certified Coach (ACC),
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
- Master Certified Coach (MCC).
If this is a need you have and would like more information, please click here.
What is one action you will take today to minimize distractions to focus?
Here are a couple of related resources to develop your coaching excellence!
