Coaching Outdoors a Seasonal Quest
Your invite to take a seasonal quest
Questing is based in both native journeys and in mirroring sages of old. Sages used to go out into nature and ask for answers, it was where they found wisdom. Direct sensory contact with natural elements can be a powerful stimulus to deeper thoughts and feelings. A sharpening of the senses and subsequent enlivening of the body provides a stirring on the unconscious.
The seasonal quest invites us to immerse ourselves in natures rhythm and explore what that means for us. An opportunity to engage with the season through all our senses and to explore what that brings.
It may be the season that is outside your window, the season of life you are in or the season you are in, in a cycle of change that you wish to explore.
Part I – A Sensual Walk
Set some time aside to take a relaxed meander in nature and connect fully with all your senses. What do you notice? What are you seeing/hearing/smelling/tasting/feeling?
For example, in autumn you may smell woodsmoke, see the warm autumn colours, notice squirrels scurrying to collect nuts, hear the crunch of leaves and the crack of twigs underfoot, feel peaceful as leaves drift down around you or awe at the colour transformation, taste the blackberries. Just take it all in. Immerse yourself in it. Allow yourself to be fully present. Listen with your heart & soul and your body. Then, later, notice what you notice; what comes up for you?
Part II – Seasonal Reflections
Take a walk with these questions. This could be done in-line with the season that is outside right now or, in-line with your season in life, or in relation to the season you find yourself in, in a cycle of change.
Autumn
What can I celebrate from my hard work so far this year?
What can I / do I need to let go of? or What would I feel better if I cleared out?
What can I ‘squirrel away’ for later?
Winter
What do I need to do to rest?
What will nurture me through the winter?
What am I grateful for from this year?
Spring
What are my goals for this year?
What seeds shall I sow?
What has begun to grow that needs attention?
What possibilities are there?
Summer
What can I develop further?
What have I been putting off that needs attention?
Who do I need to connect with?
Working with clients
Seasonal Questing is a practice you can work with in many ways; for yourself, for your clients when you are with them or inviting them to inquire on their own. You can flex the process to whatever the need or desire is. Perhaps a seasonal day where you work with the senses in the morning and the reflections in the afternoon. A couple of hours may be all you have for both or perhaps choose to take a ‘sensual walk’ one day and a ‘reflection walk’ another. If you are working virtually with clients you could share the seasonal quest process with them for completion before a coaching session where you focus on what their insights were.
Is there an opportunity for you to quest each season?
Lesley holds an MSc in Executive Coaching from Ashridge Business school and she has 16 years commercial experience with Mars. She holds an EMCC Senior accreditation. Read More >
She is the author of ‘Coaching Outdoors; the essential guide to partnering with nature in your coaching conversations’.
Contact by calling +44 (0) 7799 581792 or email info@coachingoutdoors.com.