Greg McCarley
Forum Replies Created
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Overall, I believe I am still learning and just graduating from the program does not mean it’s over. At first I had the intention to complete this program and ICF within a year. But now my goal is to make it a 2 year program to really learn as much as possible and keep up with updates. I have a vision on where I’m going with this and how this program will be utilized in my life. Speed in not an ally for me and I will take this slowly to get some real life lessons out of it. I am also realizing my schedule is quite busy with so many projects, and ideas I’m pursuing. So this will limit my abilities to focus on this program in a 12 month fashion and more of a 24 month goal. 🙂
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When I first started I originally thought I was going to perhaps open my own private practice, however things have changed as I continued in the program. I realized my background and skillset would actually encourage me to work in a corporate or organization environment. I’ve already been asked by numerous companies to reach out to them once I finished my training. These are companies I have worked with in the past in different roles and have a good rapport with them. Plus, I enjoy working with individuals who are at the same level as I am in career and mentality. This will make my coaching easier I feel like because I can relate to there everyday problems perhaps. Also, with such a vast network of business professionals I possess it may be wise of me to utilize all my years of experience and networking to good use. I don’t plan on limiting my expertise in an particular area. But, I am would think that I’ll be good at solving work environment related issues. Perhaps I can take individuals or groups of people on nature trips, or perhaps I can work somewhere where teams can book meeting with me at the organization I’m working for. I have a couple things already working in the pipeline for ideas. Their are some resorts that offer wellness packages and this includes mental awareness training. I haven’t dug into which resort I may look into because I’m not sure if that’s what I wish. But the idea of working at a resort of some sort and perhaps offer a life coaching session might be useful. At the end of the day, I’m just speculating on what I could do with this newfound education. I have already been approached by a non profit who specializes in youth development and they would love to hire a NCC practitioner. Tech companies who love getting there employees outdoors and socializing have also approached me also. But again, I don’t even know what I want to do just yet. As of now I’m still learning what is ideal to me and how I want to apply this information. I’m in no rush to start and I may not even start practicing years from now when the time seems appropriate.
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Overall, I am still learning threshold and the severance process. I don’t feel this is something I will totally get in a short time or even a long time. But this entire process is a learning process and I look forward in learning more! ITs really nice how I’ve been applying these techniques in daily situations and not just client situations.
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In order to be an effective coach, one must have some sense of what a threshold feeling feels like, sounds like, and looks like. It can be a very recognizable thing to notice someone stepping into threshold. When I personally start stepping into threshold, I know I’m getting somewhere. I then take notice how I feel what my body is doin and saying. What worked for me was imagining I was in Yosemite national park again. Hopping on boulders and chasing waterfalls. I could literally feel and taste the mist in the air. My hair starting to get wet and my clothes were getting cooler.
I recall such vivid details of my hike and this is what helped remind me of the calmness feeling I had at the time. It was this visual journey in nature that allowed me to remember what a certain feeling felt like. Once I recalled that feeling my body started giving off cues like smiling and looking up. If this is something I can experience, so can others on their own journeys. Feelings are expressed physically all the time by people. In there faces or body language. It is important to reads someones body language to be a good coach!
As I continue this journey in life coaching, I’m learning so much in just every day life I pay attention to peoples feelings and body gestures more. I try to bring more cheer to people and see how they react. The ICF core competencies are very detailed in what they expect. I really like the maintains presence section. I feel this overlaps with other sections, but it is such an important competency. The client will look right through you if your not fully engaged. They can tell if your bored as you can tell they are bored. That look and feeling will develop and this is how you recognize where to go next. Listening actively is also another important one. When you finally respond to a client, you need to hear what they said. If you respond to the client and it has nothing to do what they just said, they will feel your not listening and lose interest in the session real fast. Overall, all the competencies from EBI and ICF are very good to be aware of.
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Overall,
Ecopsychology and Nature connection go hand in hand. We must learn the psychology behind nature connection and why it works. Nature truly has the answers to everything because in essence we ourselves have the answers were looking for. We just need to slow down our lives to see the answer. Nature helps us slow down and really take a second to listen to what we are seeking. Thats why I enjoy nature and connected with nature. But this is also why I’m studying to be a nature connected coach because we are guiding people to there own answers and nature is being used to slow down their lives to find that answer!
Greg
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Finally got ahold of how this new EBI website works. Im a little late!!
When talking about Ecopsychology and coaching, I feel its basically definitions overlapping each other. Ecopyschology is like the science between nature and human connection. The science proves there is strong connection between nature and humans and were slowly losing that connection I Feel. The coaching part comes into play to bring that connection back that we are losing. As a coach you are kinda like teaching ecopyschology to your clients.
The blend is essential to being a nature connected coach. How does one teach nature connection if they don’t at least have some form of grasp between the science on the health benefits. Like most things, people like facts and studies show nature is healthy for people. Nature connected coaches bring that healthy state of thinking back to the table. I personally enjoy knowing more of the science behind nature and its health benefits. In the coaching skills book on page 28 it says “What the neuroscientific research shows without any shadow of a doubt is that it is emotions that drive human behavior”. This is really interesting and makes total sense. Without the research and science proving this, how would one ever learn that emotions drive our behaviors and we must control our emotions to connect with nature. Because emotions is key between coach and client.
I also like in the coaching skills book they mention that advice giving is so counterproductive. This is important for us to know, because many times we naturally want to give our own personal advice and it might not be the correct advice, just what you want to say. This could be driven from personal experiences and its not productive at all because the client may shut down because they feel you aren’t listening. Without understating the science behind what you are doing, you are neglecting important information that has been proven right after many studies. Science is suppose to make our lives easier, but sometimes it can make things more complicated. We tend to over think things and sometimes science will clutter a simple answer and bring doubt into ourselves and this alone could encourage us to come up short.
The answer is fairly fluid I believe. But I do like how they explained it on page 95 for questions before answers in the coyote guide. States: “try to lead the answer out of people, guide them along from one logical question to the next”. We must let the client find the answers themselves. This will help solidify there thought and it won’t feel like you are giving them advice.
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Overall,
Ive learned that everyone will and always will have unique and different perspectives. Its amazing how writing a response compared to saying a response can bring such details. I personally enjoy talking and in person engagement. Though, writing has been a growing passion of mine and I have been journaling consistently for nearly a decade now. Reading the responses to the question is a almost a art and a story. Everyone is not only answering a question, but they’re writing a story of their life and how they think. I really am learning more about deep connection and how others perceive this connection. I can’t wait to learn more about everyone and connect even further with everything!
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Hi Lilia,
I really like the comparison to zoom and in person. It has taken be awhile to really accept you can have nature connection through zoom. However, I still much prefer in person. I believe zoom is a great tool in todays world, but human connection in real life is almost biologically integrated in our system. The ICF competencies you highlighted are all great. ITs amazing to see how much these lessons really help us grow. Even though everyone may choose different compentiecies to relate with, they are all pretty important.
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Hi Julie, I really enjoyed how you started off mentioning its exciting and yet nerve wracking hitting threshold. I myself have always been the mentor and never really experienced a threshold myself in a sense. So when I start feeling this threshold experience it can be exhilarating and yet uncomfortable. This unknown territory however is important for me to understand this experience and feeling. This will allow me to help others experience this feeling. I look forward in learning more about coaching and how deep the rabbit hole goes! Great response.
Greg
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Hi Erin,
I really enjoyed the most how you connected human consciousness and nature. I feel this is the bread and butter of what were trying to do. The human consciousness is where the deep seeded desires we have and this is where real change will occur. Perhaps to tap that consciousness, nature is the only way to really open the door. The science behind all of this will be very important to know. But applying it will be one of the biggest challenges in my opinion. Or perhaps it will be the easiest from some. Great answer!
Greg
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Hi Julie,
I really enjoyed how you breakdown the simlilarities between Ecopsychology and Nature coaching. Coaching is the action of Ecopsychology and this means they go hand in hand. Again, there is so much science proving these theories and how nature truly heals. But at the same time the science can makes things complicated for people who are trying to disconnect and reconnect with nature. I love learning the science behind nature connection and Ecopsychology, but at the same time I don’t want to overwhelm myself with the science. I’d be curious if there is such a thing as too much science haha. But I can see you can really distinguish between coaching and therapy. This is good to know and break down the difference. Because this is what were studying to be and not therapists. Great Read!
Greg
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Hi Lilia,
Its hard to respond to such a detailed response! The science behind what we are doing is important to know, but like how you mentioned in the beginning, I did not come from a psychology or therapy background either. Educating someone and guiding someone can go hand in hand. But I wonder where do we draw the line? Where and how does one know where to start or end? These very detailed and philosophical responses can be overwhelming and I feel we need to make it less complicated for the client in order for them to understand. Because even I can get overwhelmed behind the science of it and being overwhelmed can at times make people uninterested. Must find that healthy balance! Great response and I’d be curious how you take nature, science, and personal journey and mold it together. 🙂
Greg
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Hi Kendy,
Your response is another great example of personal experiences and struggles we call life. I enjoy reading about how you may go to nature in hopes to find more enlightenment. Sitting on the river or mountain top can always give some form of clarity when it comes to life questions. When I travel and go hiking, I always run into someone who is sitting in a spot and just staring off into the distance. I ask myself what are they thinking? where are they from? and what kind of answers are they receiving! IT makes me realize that so many of us are thinking and striving to be connected more and reading your response reaffirms that for me. I look forward in reading more of your posts! Greg
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Simka,
I love the3 fact you related this entire experience to different times of your life. Its as if nature connection has always been a journey and struggle and you still learning constantly. I feel as some level we all can relate to what you were thinking at different times of our lives. I personally am constantly learning, thinking, imagining, and so much more on what exactly is purpose and how do I achieve it. The example you gave right at the beginning is such a struggle for me sometimes, especially when I have lots on my plate. Sometimes I cannot connect with nature and that alone is frustrating me to the point where in naturally inhibits me to connect with nature. Like a self full filling prophecy. I am try and ponder some of my childhood memories and see if I can recall my connection with nature and compare them to now and see where I end up! Great response and look forward too reading more personal experiences. Greg
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Erin,
Man oh man! Did your response remind me of the good ole days in Oregon. Every almost every weekend I escaped to the coast to surf and relax. I also meditated and hit my baseline as well. The ocean for me has and always will be my sweet spot when it comes to connecting with nature. What you described was exactly my description on so many levels. Where you went is a place I have grown attuned to and why I was constantly pulled to the ocean always. Oregon has a different vibe from the California coast line and I felt more connected even on cloudier days and colder winds. IT was like a inner description of me a the time and when the sun popped out it was life screaming at me! Love the response and look forward in reading more :). Greg
