Cintia H. Orsi coaching analogy with terrarium making
My Analogy of Coaching with Terrarium Making
When I think of a successful enclosed terrarium, I imagine an ecosystem in equilibrium. To be self-sufficient, it has everything it needs, e.g., nutrients, water, oxygen, light, and other gases.
Although I know what is required for the terrarium to thrive, not every terrarium does. Each terrarium is unique. Uniqueness is beautiful.
In analogy, each person is also unique. We all need food, energizing activities, rest, challenges, connection… Some habits that have served us in the past may have become automatic in our lives. We end up not even asking whether they are still helpful today or in the future. We may also find that limiting beliefs or old narratives we keep telling ourselves hold us back in achieving thriving results. The unique combination of experiences, beliefs, ways of thinking, and patterns of attitudes makes us all wonderfully unique.
When a terrarium is created, it takes time to stabilize, meaning plants stop dying or taking over. If we impersonate the terrarium, we could say that it first struggles right after creation. Some plants may die, some fungus may take over, there may be the need to adjust the water level and the light conditions. Observation is critical to creating awareness, and action is crucial for proper care. As it progresses, less time and maintenance are required. The terrarium will finally find its balance.
Analogously, we as human beings are subjected to adversity multiple times in a day. Weather, traffic, delays, calls, bad news, you can name it. Then, we make decisions based on the information we have at that moment for a plan of action, which will positively impact getting close to an important goal. Also, similarly, we observe, connect, create awareness.
As a plant lover, I observe and look for signs of plant adjustment or signs of struggle. Since the goal is to achieve an independent ecosystem, less interference is better for the system to experiment and learn self-sustaining. The system knows that with external conditions changes, it has to adapt again. By doing so, it becomes more resilient to adversities. In coaching, the coach actively listens, reflects back on what was observed and noticed, and with the permission of the coachee, partners with them to support them in creating awareness and developing plans of action to achieve meaningful results.
Here is where I come to serve and support you in your journey of self-awareness and clear empowerment vision to strive to be the best person you can be.
Soul, mind, and heart. Connected. Complete.
Gratefully,
“Nothing will work unless you do.”
