Change as Opportunity & Possibility By Jayne D.B. Marsh, ACC, MS, MA I


t has been said the one thing we can rely on in life is change. Thus, it be- comes signifi cant to consider what does


change mean? More importantly, what does change mean to you? Change has been de- fi ned as; to make something different from what is or from what would be; to alter or modify; to become different or transformed; the introduction of novelty or variety (adapted from dictionary.com). Change can be challenging, whether it is change that we choose or change thrust upon us. Being mindful and intentional about change we choose in our lives or in our response to unplanned or unexpected change helps to put in place a path toward opportunity and possibility. This leads to the poten- tial of greater satisfaction and fulfi llment; taking us out of routine which may no longer serve us, or no longer serve us well. Routine does provide predictability but can also be stifl ing, or leave one feeling stuck. Acknowledging change, whether by choice or otherwise, as opportunity and possibility provides space for growth.


I have learned in working with multi- ple clients around ‘feeling stuck’, that this reality is actually quite common, yet many feel so stuck they cannot either conceive of how to make change, or are afraid to do so. I am sharing composite coaching ex- amples of navigating a couple of different life changes through a lens of opportunity and possibility.


20 ELM® Maine - January/February 2020


The fi rst composite of change is cre- ated from coaching work with women in various professional roles. This example is related to several clients in high-level positions yet not feeling fulfi lled or satisfi ed in their role, as well seeing change occur- ring around them for which they felt they could make no impact. In these situations, the clients could not see a way out and were discouraged looking forward. Through coaching work, much was discussed about their inherent and learned skills and abili- ties and how those skills and abilities could be used in different ways. Thus, their value and how that related to either their current position or in seeking something different; as in making a change within or outside of their current setting. In each of these situa- tions, the clients shared a greater sense of awareness, a-ha moments and a sense of being freed from feeling stuck. They each became more aware of their value and of how to ‘see’ opportunity and possibility in creating a path forward.


Each made new choices as a result


of their coaching experience in seeing change as opportunity and possibility, whether it was within the current setting or outside of it. In each case the indi- vidual women, through the ’hard work’ of self-refl ection and discovery toward intentional planned choice and action, or response to approaching change, discov- ered a greater satisfaction and fulfi llment,


stating that it was not something they felt they could have done on their own. That through the coaching experience, they gained clarity to create different belief systems about their value and a structure for making choices about change; inten- tional change or how they would respond to change thrust upon them.


Additional equally signifi cant experi-


ences of change occurred in clients who were looking to improve their physical well-being, but again, felt stuck in old habits/beliefs and unable to see or create a way out. Each client had some ideas of change they wanted to improve their physical well-being but couldn’t move forward in putting together a plan for any of their ideas to happen, or be committed and consistent with any potential plan. Through the coaching experience and pro- cess of guided refl ection and rethinking about the larger picture of their choices toward greater well-being in the future (current self-decisions affecting future self-reality), they were able to clarify a plan and with regular coaching sessions be committed and consistent in carrying out the plan. A bonus was that in becom- ing successful making change toward improvement of their physical well-being, they as well achieved improvement in their emotional well-being.


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