I kept this post as a placeholder in my blog schedule. As if it wasn’t evident in the announcement post, this course is extremely important to me. Honestly, I expected that I would be able to rattle off several aspects that I loved about the course and highlight several things that we will be updating. I knew that the course was going to be helpful, what I didn’t know was just how much I would gain while delivering the course.
The list of updates that Jake and I need to make are long but mostly pretty small in size. For example, fix this wording, missing this image, text slightly blurry, etc. Things that you have reviewed but not until in production do you finally see. Slightly bigger adjustments included moving some exercise/topic locations (increase energy during this block, adjust from a card exercise to using dice to select, etc). We’ll be spending the next week, happily making these adjustments!
So what did I gain…so much:
- I can’t remember a time when a multi-day course on the pilot run went as smoothly as this course did. Seriously, it was a little surreal. Sure, timings were slightly off here but nothing that caused strain. Sure, materials were not perfect but nothing that prevented the learning. We knew this course layered on top of topics as we proceeded, so if one missed…we would be in trouble. Instead, the connections were happening over and over and over!
- True co-training with someone that you consider a friend makes me happy. I had someone to bounce an adjustment around with. I had someone to continue leading the course while I prepared for something or vice versa. I had someone to demonstrate topics and model behaviors with. I had someone who provided creative ideas when issues did arise. I had someone to celebrate with at the end of the course!
- Impact: We kept this pilot small intentionally. Our target was 12 with only a few short weeks of notice, 13 people participated in the course. Doing a public pilot is tricky: everyone has different backgrounds, context, experience, etc. We knew the course covered a wide range of elements and I absolutely loved observing when the topic had a dramatic impact on someone. I loved hearing from people during breaks, after or the next morning, which topics that really stuck with them – or as one person said “rocked my world”. Those that know me, know I long for helping others…getting the connection that fosters their growth. I hoped this course would provide this environment and it did 🙂
- New ideas: Sure, we can pretend that every awesome connection, learning, result that occurred in the course was completely planned but that would make me a liar. There were several moments when I thought “I didn’t even think about that but that’s an excellent point”. I love the power of open learning and what you and others gain.
- Pride: In some ways, this course represents my growth over the past couple of years as a coach. My growth in training, facilitating, and coaching in particular from knowledge to delivery. As I was talking with a few people about my career journey, I found myself being extremely grateful to be at this point.
- Excited: Jake and I decided on scheduling four public courses in 2017 (Ft. Lauderdale, San Diego, Denver and Atlanta). We are working on getting them all scheduled and available. Registration for Ft. Lauderdale is now available. I’m already impatiently waiting for the next time we get to do this course!!!
- Connections…I gain my energy from connecting with people. I gain energy from creating environments where others connect. I’m so lucky to have connected with everyone here, so much that I even asked for a photo 🙂
What could you be gaining by giving or attending training?
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