Transition and transformation - Kristina Futoova

Life coaching to me is transition and transformation. Transition because coaching forms a bridge between where we are now and where we want to be. I have recently learned from a very talented intuitive life coach and author from New York, Donnalyn Civello (Life Lessons) that bridges in fact are metaphors for the transitions in our lives. "They represent that ‘unknown’ stage between the past and future, which could result in the feeling of uncertainty for some. However, life requires us to get on that transitional bridge, and walk away from our past and set out on a journey toward the future." It is in that in-between stage, in the ‘uncertain gap’ where I feel a life coach can be a very powerful catalyst. We can inspire people to become aware of where they currently operate and vibrate from, which always leads to clarity in how to feel good and move forward. Some people don’t see the bridge in its full length. It may become foggy or dark. I feel the role of a life coach is to empower people to take courage to walk through the unknown and turn challenges, fears and self-doubt into opportunities and strengths.

Life coaching to me is also transformation, because coaching truly transforms all aspects of our lives. No matter what area we work on, coaching ultimately leads to ‘coming home’ and finding our true, authentic self. We discover our highest and truest potential and tap into it whilst following our passion. I know this for sure, as I have had many coaching experiences. Yes, even a coach has a life coach! We want to walk our talk if we desire to be outstanding coaches.

Prior to life coaching and NLP, I showed keen interest in Law of Attraction (Abraham’s teaching) and Louise L. Hay’s philosophy. I learned about my limiting beliefs that I had developed at different stages of my life and I began to use tools to love and accept myself. In most cases it is easier to love others and be compassionate, than accept ourselves as we are.

I also learned to create my own reality rather than act like a victim. I was raised believing I was the unlucky one, and everything was working out for my sister. No fault of my parents. They could only teach with the understanding and knowledge they had at the time.

I began to teach empowering and positive thinking workshops as a hobby in London. I was enjoying the process very much, as I could see people transform their lives as a result of the workshops. At this point, I still was not clear about what career I wanted to pursue. I was a lecturer in further education and coach for teachers and was mostly teaching teenagers.

A good friend recommended a life coach to gain some clarity around my future career and the life coach had qualified with The Coaching Academy, I was very impressed and found my coaching experience with her to be exceptional!

After getting some coaching I became aware of my skills and strengths, I felt I was compassionate and thrived in helping people become aware of their potential so I decided to attend The Coaching Academy’s free two-day event. The event provided me with further reassurance and I felt the next logical step for me was to enrol onto the Life Coaching Diploma and NLP Practitioner course with The Coaching Academy.

Half-way through the course I mustered up the courage to set up an NLP life coaching workshop and started introducing coaching techniques to the public in monthly meetups. I also carried on with my workshops and was co-teaching with four other teachers, which felt fantastic! I find co-creating joyful! At this point I let go of figuring out my future career and just focused on doing what I enjoyed.

Even though I found coaching and NLP exciting and empowering processes, I knew there was a piece missing in my NLP coaching workshop delivery. I shared knowledge about the GROW model, confidence tools, practical coaching techniques, limiting vs empowering beliefs, values, NLP techniques etc. but the puzzle didn’t feel complete.

I was very much guided by my feelings. It was not until I attended Pam Lidford’s Holistic Coaching CPD day event, when it all fell into place. I was able to blend emotional states and/or law of attraction with coaching; when I began to apply it to my workshops and one to one coaching sessions, the results were incredible! After all, we are vibrational beings.

I will continue to include emotional states in coaching. It is exhilarating to know that attaching emotions to goals makes the process extra powerful! We can work out what emotional states we are vibrating from at this moment and what emotional states we need to generate on a daily basis to achieve our goals and desires. Although, I have not fully worked out who specifically my coaching audience will be, for now I know that I feel sure about combining law of attraction and/or emotional states with coaching and in workshops settings. The transformation in people is remarkable.

What have I personally learned? Trust your Emotional Guiding System. If what you are doing feels good, go with it! If it doesn’t, your only job is to feel good in order to align with our inner being, our true self. Our Inner being is always guiding us, even when we feel lost or confused. We have to trust that everything is unfolding perfectly. We are where we are, and that’s OK. If we make peace with where we are right now, new ideas will flow that will bring the feeling of anticipation, exhilaration, sureness and knowing. It is the best place to be in! That is where I am right now on my journey.