A Coaching Framework for Your Hero's Journey

 

A Coaching Framework for Your Hero's Journey  
April 22, 2021


I sincerely believe we are all heroes in our unique Hero's Journey.  And the Hero's Journey does not, typically, start at the peak -- it starts somewhere in darkness, with challenges, and with a sense that there is more -- more potential and possibilities -- more we can contribute to ourselves, our family, our relationships, our community, and to the bigger issues confronting our world.  

Joseph Campbell is the authority and famous author of The Power of Myth, The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life & Work, and many other books and documentaries. Here is what he has to say about the hero's path: 

We have not even to risk the adventure alone
for the heroes of all time have gone before us. 
The labyrinth is thoroughly known...
we have only to follow the thread of the hero path.
And where we had thought to find an abomination
we shall find a God.

And where we had thought to slay another
we shall slay ourselves.
Where we had thought to travel outwards
we shall come to the center of our own existence.
And where we had thought to be alone
we shall be with all the world." 

I love the metaphor of the labyrinth, each walking our unique path, and honoring, as Joseph Campbell also says, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." 

For me, coaching is a process -- about being there for you on your journey, to challenge and cheer you on as you do the hard work of discovering who you are when you are at your best and experiencing the joy and confidence of being focused, fully engaged and knowing your purpose. 

I delight in the history, the inspiration, and knowing I have companions who are with me on The Hero's Journey. At the same time, I am also a very practical and results-oriented person. I tend to ask the "how" question a lot -- so exactly "how" are we going to get from where we are to where we want to be?  

That's where the power of a proven framework comes in. The Certified High Performance Coaching TM  Program (CHPC) is an experiential framework which guides us to focus on the  habits that move the needle towards success, to ask the questions we often have not made the time to ask ourselves, and to launch or accelerate our progress on our unique hero's journey. The CHPC framework is distinctive because: 

  • It is a science-based curriculum
  • The outcomes are clear and practical.
  • There are follow-up worksheets to journal your insights and action plans. 
  • The CHPC process is challenge-based and forward-oriented.  

Extensive research by the High Performance Institute demonstrates that high performance -- or leveling up -- is the result of heightened and sustained levels of Clarity, Energy, Necessity, Courage, Productivity and Influence. If you would like to learn more about the academic research  and results, I invite you to read, High Performance Institute: May 2019: Measuring High Performance .  These are the 6 habits that have been proven to get you from where you are to where they want to be. It is important to focus for maximum impact. And then what? There is always room for growth and new possibilities. We can always level up. As the saying goes -- it's a journey, not a destination.  

High performance is not simply for athletes or executives. The key is -- do you have an open mind, a growth mind set, and an ambition to move from where you are to new possibilities? I have coached CEOs, people who are looking for work;  for a new start; people who are considering a new adventure after a corporate career; entrepreneurs; people in their 20s, 30s, 40s 50s 60s and yes, 70s. 

After the initial lessons in each of the high performance habits we go even deeper into the Pillars of High Performance™: 

  • Physiology: Am I rested and fully hydrated? Am I speaking with passion? Do I have the energy I deserve and need to lead? 
  • Psychology:  Am I living my truth? What are the 3 words that define who I am as a person and am I living those words?
  • Productivity: What is my mission today? What am I looking forward to?
  • Persuasion: Am I developing influence? Am I demonstrating bold enthusiasm when I seek to influence others?
  • Presence: What level am I, in this moment, in terms of my emotional and physical vibrancy and presence? 
  • Purpose: How can I stay on purpose and serve greatly now?

In our CHPC TM Program we work through a process, a framework, where you decide the areas of focus most important to you and you create the action plans that make sense for you. We have a strategic framework, we have tested and know the important questions we must ask ourselves. I bring my extensive business expertise to the dialectic. I also love to bring in meditation to the practice when clients are open to learn about mindfulness and stress management. However, the hard work is up to you -- you will come up with your answers -- your action plans and next steps. Are you open to being challenged? I will be there cheering you on!

Two years ago, I decided to create an alternative to my one-on-one coaching practice which typically takes a commitment of 1 hour for 12 Lessons that can stretch over 12 weeks to 3 months. I created my Total Immersion Retreat, where over 3 1/2 days, we work through all the 12 lessons.  This is not a shortcut. It is intense -- we immerse ourselves in the work. 

A couple of times a year, I open my historic Lake House on Catawba Island, OH for us to work together. Please enjoy this short video to get the feeling of the amazing ambiance and magic:  Total Immersion Retreat, May 20-23, 2021 .

My upcoming Total Immersion Retreat is May 20-23rd and will be a intimate, energizing 3 1/2 days for a maximum of 4-5 women to launch positive changes in their personal lives and make rapid advancement in their professional lives. To reserve you space please call me, 419-262-3717. I also schedule Retreats tailored to private groups --teams, associations, couples,  etc. 

Here are a few examples of what people have said about their experiences.   

  • The results were powerful and meaningful. How Alison coaches is from a place that encouraged me to dig deep and really look at who I am and how I am. The results of these lessons are already changing my life.” B.G., digital marketing entrepreneur and public servant, OH.

  • “This Retreat was impactful, meaningful, and inspirational. Over the course of 3 days, I not only discovered my purpose – I found peace and happiness. Thank you, Alison for giving me the tools to live each day with purpose and meaning. Namaste.” C.S., V.P. large nonprofit organization, OH.

  • “The total immersion retreat was truly the perfect time to not only learn about yourself but to focus on digging deeper into your personal and business goals. It allows you to slow down your hectic life and zero in on you. It’s like a spa retreat for your goals!!” MB, entrepreneur, OH. 
  • "Alison is an inspiring, thoughtful, peaceful and experienced coach. The focused High Performance Coaching Retreat was valuable, intense, personal and outcome driven.  I highly recommend making the time in your life and career. '' C.G. marketing executive, CA.

  • “This Retreat has made an everlasting impact on my life. I have learned what it takes to live with purpose. Thank you, Alison, for this experience.” E.G., horticulturist, OH. 
  • “Thank you for the life-affirming experience of working with you as a High Performance Coach. Our time together helped me to focus and clarify my purpose and goals and to develop skills to accomplish them. My confidence and productivity have increased immeasurably.” D. L. writer & editor. OH.  

I invite you to see a detailed Retreat Agenda on: AlisonLanzaFalls.com. In brief, this is the schedule: 

On Thursday evening we will gather for a social hour and introductions.

Starting at 9 A.M. Friday through noon, Sunday, the Total Immersion Retreat in High Performance Habits will intersperse 1-hour sessions of coaching and discussion with 1-hour breaks for self-reflection, journaling, walking and meditation.

  • We will meet in my conference room for each 1-hour working session.  
  • We will take a break for 1-hour. It is your choice – your opportunity to reflect, continue the homework assignment, walk the paths, or meditate in my loft overlooking Lake Erie. 
  • We will have FUN and absorb all the restorative benefits that connecting with nature and people offer us.  
  • On Sunday morning you will craft our personal Purpose Statement and we will close with a final lesson where you will pull together all the lessons learned. 
  • We will adjourn for a relaxing catered brunch on the deck and celebrate! 
  • Yogi, my friendly lab, and I will say “So long…thank you for investing in yourself and trusting the process.  We love you.”  We will talk soon... 

After the Retreat, we will schedule a follow-up private, one-on-one call to discuss how your plan is coming together, solidify your commitment to high performance and answer any further questions you may have. 

 I trust you feel the energy and the excitement of the work we will do together.

In closing, I will add that I get what it means to be on the Hero's Journey -- to be in a dark place, to accept a challenge and take risk. After a successful Wall Street career, I began my own personal journey in early 2002. I had a major pattern interrupt when I landed at LaGuardia around 8:45 AM on 9/11.  After much reflection, kind of lost and wondering what was truly important in my life, I pulled the rip cord and never looked back. I was successful on the outside by all the standard measures and desperately unhappy on the inside. I spent years initially looking in all the wrong places -- looking outside -- when what was most important was looking inside. Then one day in May, May 3rd 2010 to be exact, I was fortunate to meet a guide who would support me on my journey to ask questions I had never taken the time to ask myself -- and to discover, through an experiential learning process -- who I really was -- when I was congruent with my deepest values. You can read my story in my award-winning book with co-author David S. Prudhomme. The title says it all, from Wall Street Ambition and the Illusion of Success, My Path to Happiness."  

In between these monthly Blogs, please keep in touch with me on social media where I preview themes and continue to provide new insights and inspiration.  For example, over the past 2 weeks, I have been exploring the lessons of the Heroes Journey on my Facebook page and I hope you have been there with me: Alison Lanza Falls on Facebook.  

This IS your time!    

Talk soon,

 

Alison Lanza Falls

 419-262-3717
[email protected]

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