“If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when?”
- Rabbi Hillel
What are you all about?
Over the past few years, many of us have found ourselves thinking more deeply about the 'whats' and 'whys' of life:
"Why am I on this path? Where do I want to go next? What's most important to me?"
So often, amidst the busyness of everyday life, we don't make the time to really reflect on what we're doing. We find ourselves rushing to meet the next deadline, finish the next project, make the next meeting.
It’s not until we slow down - or are made to stop - that we might begin to examine the path we’re on.
It’s one of the things I love about coaching.
Coaching provides structure and objective feedback, while making space for introspection and building self-awareness. It encourages participants to pause and reflect before moving forward…which is so important in our fast-paced world.
The start of a new year tends to bring with it moments of reflection for many people. And for me, 2023 marks the 10 year anniversary of Gain Your Edge Coaching. It has been a joy to look back on the lessons I’ve learned in the past decade of coaching. It’s also given me the opportunity to contemplate the path I’m on, and to make plans for the NEXT 10 years of GYEC!
Whatever you have planned for the year ahead, I’d like to invite you to build in a bit of reflection. Find some moments to look at the “what’s” and “why’s” of your life, and whether they are aligned with each other…and with your values. I hope this helps bring clarity to you as you move forward throughout 2023!
10 Years of Gain Your Edge Coaching
As I kick off my GYEC 10 year anniversary celebrations, I want to express my profound gratitude to all of you who have been part of this journey over the past decade.
To my clients: I continue to be amazed and inspired by you! You are committed to doing the work, even when it’s challenging. You show up to every session with intention and make conscious, values-based choices, to be the leader - and person - you want to be. I’m so grateful to be able to facilitate your growth. I also want to thank you for the referrals and repeat engagements, which comprises most of my business. I am thankful for the ongoing opportunities, and to know that you value our work together. It means more than you know, and I appreciate your support over the years. I’m also so fortunate to be a part of an incredible community of coaches. Being a sole proprietor can be lonely…especially over these past few years, where there have been fewer opportunities for face-to-face engagements. I feel so lucky to have connected with a few supportive, creative and collaborative groups. Thank you for sharing your ideas and resources. I’m grateful for all I’ve learned from and with you, and for all the fun we’ve had while doing it! Running a business isn’t easy. It is, as they say, a labour of love. There have been struggles along the way; I’ve had to change directions, pivot, and restart four times in the past ten years. These trials were made easier by the encouragement of my friends, coaches, mentors and cheerleaders. Knowing I had somewhere to turn for support and honest feedback helped me to take the risks necessary to move forward. Without you, I wouldn’t be celebrating this anniversary. I’m thankful for the opportunity to do a job I love, and that I believe in. My goal is to help others to reach their goals, and to have the same impact that my own first coach had on me, many years ago. I want people to be able to move through the world with intention and awareness: to be able to live their values…and by understanding those values, be able to build the life they want. It’s something I strive for in my own life, too (the universe gives me lots of opportunities to practice!)
In the weeks and months ahead I’ll be sharing some favourite stories and photos from the past ten years. Please know that for every one that I share, there are MANY others that I’ll be reflecting on and remembering with gratitude. Not every memory can be condensed into a snappy social post, but they all helped me to be the person I am today.
If there’s a memory or experience from our time together that you would be willing to share - publicly or privately - I would love to hear about it. Thank you for being part of so many incredible experiences, and for helping me to celebrate this anniversary.
Here’s to another amazing decade!
In Case You Missed it: 2023 Word of the Year
Since 2016, I have selected a word of the year: a word to motivate, inspire and guide me in the months ahead. This time around, with GYEC's anniversary top of mind, I’ve chosen a word that is at the core of how I want to live my life, run my business, and interact with the world. Visit my website for the full article, plus a worksheet to help you select YOUR word of the year!
Coming Soon: Gain YOUR Edge Roundup!
Over the past several months, we’ve been highlighting clients and colleagues who have gained their edge, living their lives to the fullest and doing work full of purpose. Keep an eye out for our 2023 spring/summer newsletter, where we’ll be celebrating a year of Gain YOUR Edge profiles!
