passion – Career and Life Coaching

Coaching The Spark!

Published on October 10, 2013 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

As a Career & Life Coach I’ve always believed that everyone has a special something that they are gifted to do, that special talent that we are born with, the something we love to do and are good at. I’ve discussed this often in career coaching and life coaching sessions and have just read a book that sang to me about this very fact. It’s called The Spark: a mother’s story of Nurturing Genius by Kristine Barnett. A true story about her autistic son, Jacob.

This book is about the power of love and courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles, and the possibilities that can occur when we learn how to tap the true potential that lies within every child, and in all of us.

Kristine made available all the usual therapies for Jacob from the age of 18 months after discovering he had autism and was slowly retreating from the world. However in therapy she realised that he was doing things he really wasn’t interested in doing rather than the things he was interested in.

Allison Fisher Career & Life Coach — Kristine and Jacob

Typical Therapy sessions focused on the lowest skills. Kristine says “I’d watched my son nod off during a session still holding a therapy putty ball. So instead of hammering away at all the tasks these kid’s couldn’t do. I thought we’d start with what they wanted to do.” (pg 68) Through this approach nd a lot of hard work Jacob gradually came out of himself.

Kristine goes on to say “It’s hard for many people to relate to, but Jake genuinely thinks math and science are the most beautiful things on earth. The way a music lover thrills to a crescendo, the way a lifelong reader catches her breath in delight over a perfectly crafted phrase” (pg 202)

Jacob does have an extremely high IQ, higher than Einstein’s! Very exceptional in that sense however these principles were proven to be successful with other autistic children and teenagers when Kristine opened a school for autistic children. There were many examples of children with varying IQ’s that once Kristine and her helpers found their interest whether it was cooking, maths, writing or making clothes, once that passion was found then the kids would develop in other areas too.

Kristine believes all we have to do is find the gift in the child and the other stuff that they aren’t so good at or don’t like to do will come along just fine as long as they have a passion, something they love to do.

Jacob at the tender age of 15 is currently studying theoretical physics at the Perimeter Institute in Toronto! Just imagine if his parents hadn’t allowed him to focus on what he loved what the world may have lost.

So for you what is your spark, the “thing”, the talent that you have that is unique to you and you love to do? Would love to hear about it or discuss how you could discover it. Contact Allison Fisher, Career and Life Coaching.

Life Coaching | Is it a 10?

Published on August 29, 2013 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

Allison Fisher, Career & Life Coaching — Make it a 10!

Decisions can be so difficult at times and as a coach coaching clients, when a decision needs to be made by them it can be tough to decide what is the best decision in this moment, the best course of action or simply what do I really want? A useful way to make decisions is to ask yourself which of the options is a 10? 10 meaning the best possible option, makes you feel great, gives great satisfaction or excitement, a 10 means you really want to do it. It just feels right! For instance taking up a new hobby and deciding which one to choose. Choose the one closest to a 10. If your asked to go away with friends for a weekend but you also want to stay home with your partner. Ask yourself which is a 10? And if not what number is it? If the weekend was a 10 what would you be doing? Similarly performance in a job or career what does a 10 mean? What are you doing, being or achieving that will make it a 10? Is an 8 or 9 good enough? Sometimes there is so much to do in life and asking the 10 question can really help to reduce the options to the ones you really want to do. Ask yourself each morning what will make my day a 10? Find out more as I discuss this further in my recent newsletter Living from a 10.

To discuss your Career or Life journey give Allison a call today.

Life Coaching: What’s my Purpose?

Published on May 16, 2013May 16, 2013 by Allison Fisher1 Comment

Thoughts as shared by Allison Fisher your Auckland Career & Life Coach.

Ever wondered what your purpose is? Or asked yourself Who am I? Why am I here? I talk about these life questions quite a lot with people as a Life Coach. Of late I’ve been talking about the possibility that we don’t just have one purpose but a number of purposes. Or as in music some majors and minors, for a different metaphor. A friend finds purpose in the everyday things she does. Whether it’s a walk, meeting someone after work for a catch up, a delicious meal and so on. So focuses on what she really enjoys doing and enjoys it in that moment. I think that is a great starting point for the often too big question of what is my purpose? Sometimes that’s just too scary to contemplate. And it may seem a tough mountain to climb and even attempt. Start with what you are passionate about. What do you get excited about? As a career and life coach it is crucial for me that my clients are exploring this if they aren’t sure as without passion and purpose who are we? Looking out my office window just now I can see a beautiful Kingfisher sitting on a tv aerial and I smile. That is an enjoyable heart warming moment for me. So chunk it right down notice what you smile about, everyday at first, and build your list of enjoyment and likes.

Purpose can grow once we focus on what makes our hearts light up.

To discuss or define your purpose or life questions please connect with Allison Fisher. I look forward to catching up.

Time to take a risk?

Published on July 4, 2012 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

How often do we keep our most treasured ideas or desires a secret? Is there one thing you dream about that no one else knows. Is there something you long to do or be that keeps being put on the back burner? Is it a new business idea, would you like to learn line dancing, be a public speaker or write a book? Or just to be a better friend or learn how to garden?

Sometimes the things we haven’t told anyone hold the most risk for us. The risk of failure, disappointment or rejection. But if you play it safe you also don’t experience the joy of success, the joy of experiencing something new and uplifting.

So what if today you decide to throw caution to the wind and make your desire, your dream a priority. Share it with someone – what is the worst that could happen?

And when the fear comes, or perhaps it’s there already, just remember no one died from disappointment or failure but people do die with regrets.

Missing Something?

Published on April 24, 2012 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

This exercise is useful if you are well into your career and have a sense that something is missing.

Drill down and reflect on your earliest images of work. Consider these questions:

What were your early desires that drew you to your work or profession?

Are those desires still true of you today?

Does your work allow you to express those desires?

What is present?

What is missing?

Can you detect underlying career themes? What are they?

Inspiring Careers

Published on January 31, 2012 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

I met a young woman the other day who really inspired me with her career story. She had started out post school completing her studies in bio-chemistry then went on to study forensic science and completing a PhD and doing research. Then got a job as a Patent Attorney with a law firm. (The law can be learnt but it was her knowledge of products and what they are made up of which was important for this role). However after two years she knew that this wasn’t what she really wanted to do and is now studying to be a doctor. She was really scared to tell her parents of another career change but when she finally told them they were really relieved as they felt she hadn’t yet found what she wanted to do in a career. She is 30 years of age now but will be a Dr in a couple of years. Her study has largely been funded by scholarships. No we aren’t all as intellectually capable as this woman but what inspired me was that she didn’t give up. She kept going until she has found what is really right for her. There are different paths for different people and in career search it is hard work, we have to be tenacious and take risks to find what we do really enjoy. We have to talk to people, keep adjusting and keep exploring until we find the right match.

Want to be Inspired?

Published on January 20, 2012January 20, 2012 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

I’m wondering if we are in danger of over using and mis-using the word goals? I noticed in a new year newspaper a pull out totally focused on goals, mind you sponsored by a major bank! Fantastic to see a number of articles written about achieving goals such as smoking, weight loss and financial discipline. However in this case clearly being used to promote a bank and very obviously using goals as a means to connect with their customers.

When a concept like this is placed frequently in the public domain it is at risk of becoming tired and over used a bit like the word ‘passion’ was for a while. And perhaps what irks me when I skim over the goal articles was the focus on what we’re not doing or not getting in life, the focus on the negative. After all we all know what we shouldn’t be doing ie eating too much chocolate, smoking, not enough exercise etc etc. What about turning this around and focusing on what we do want. What will create excitement, energy and inspiration for us?

So what do you want to create in 2012? Develop your creativity, develop further your leadership or communication skills, discover a hobby you would love to do, or find a career you love?

I suggest you forget about what you’re going to stop doing in 2012 in the form of resolutions and undertakings but focus on creating what will inspire you. Motivation will come when you discover what inspires you and this comes from the heart.