‘Make-A-Wish’ & My Coaching Model

We’re fortunate enough to be entitled to a Volunteer Leave Day from work every year – thus we get the opportunity to do ‘volunteer work’ with a charity.  This year a group of us went and worked at Make-A-Wish.  This organisation enables children with a life threatening illness to have a wish granted.  The kids could wish to be… (e.g. a zookeeper); wish to meet… (e.g. their favorite sportstar); wish to go… (e.g. on a holiday somewhere); wish to have…(e.g. a computer)

It was such an inspirational day for me. I found myself asking people the hypothetical question: ’what would your wish be?’ We all have dreams & desires.  I was looking at the celebrity tshirts that were designed for the organisations and trying to decide which one to buy.  There was a nice white tee with stars with the words ‘wish upon a falling star’ (by a well known Australian designer – Leona Edmiston). Apart from knowing that ’stars’ are fashionable again, something about this top resonated with me.  I thought about my favorite mug that I’ve held onto since a little girl – in small writing are the words ‘Aim for the stars’. 

I’ve always been a daydreamer… And I’m always one to wish upon fallen stars or make wishes when I blow out candles on birthday cakes… But now I realise we can grant our own wishes.  We have that power. I’m excited! I’m not powerless. This has triggered offa  train of ideas for my coaching model and the symbolism of a star – of daring to dream.  Often the biggest barrier between people and their goals is a lack of self-belief & support.  By creating an encouraging, supportive & stimulating environment we can discover for ourselves that we can do anything or have anything that we set our mind to… And it’s not result driven, it’s journey driven – as this personal discovery is what makes the best teacher!