What matters is presence, not presents

To be at our best as a coach we are taught to be present, to free our mind from distractions and to give our full attention to our client. Only then do we enable our clients do their best thinking and learning.  

It sounds simple, but it can be one of the hardest skills to master. Our lives today always seem so busy, our heads full of stuff to do and things to remember as we rush from one thing to the next. My sense is we often get so wrapped up in ‘doing’, we forget the importance of just ‘being’.

In my work as a parent coach, one of the exercises involves parents reflecting on the happy memories from their own childhood. Many of these relate to simple moments of fun, of time shared with family and friends. It’s these connections that make children feel safe and loved, that help build their self-worth and foster resilience, not the things we buy our children or the experiences we strive to create for them.  

This time of year is always a busy one, particularly as a parent. My advice? Don’t sweat the presents this Christmas. Being present is the best gift of all.