6 Modules, 3 to 3½ days per module, a sprinkling of ethics courses, 30 hours of delivering pro bono coaching, and a few one-on-ones with our Learning Circles (fellow students), Learning Circle Advisor (Georgetown Faculty committed to our small group) and our journal partner (a fellow student and confidant whom we can share the ups and downs of our experience with), all resulting in the opportunity to obtain the ACC through the ICF - if we are successful (and are able to obtain the additional 70 hours of coaching!)!

Books were ordered and received.  I had a solid plan to ensure I completed the prework.  I arranged my work schedule to ensure I would be able to fully commit to the fist module.  I was ready.  

After a jarring realization that the schedule for the first module was adjusted and would be kicking off a week earlier than expected, my plan crumbled.  Luckily, Day 1 was only a half day.  I was able to make some adjustments and attended the kickoff.  

Day 1 was filled with getting a lay of the land, meeting our cohort directors, Eric DeNijs and Pam Coffey, our fellow cohort members and an introduction to coaching… I started feeling that this was truly where I needed to be!

One of the biggest realizations I had from this session was the importance of presence.  Due to the schedule change, I was not fully prepared to jump into this class.  This became evident to me as began finding myself distracted by a number of things that were on my mind that included work items, but also items related to class - since I had not fully prepared yet (this was scheduled for the following weekend), I found myself questioning items related to the curriculum (curious about objectives, definitions, sequencing of the teachings, etc.).  Reflecting back on this module, what did I miss?  What were my distractions pulling me from?  I knew I was going to have to dig in and review the material presented as well as ask questions of my cohort mates to ensure I was following along.

This hit me pretty hard - I was committing a significant amount of time, money and energy, pulling myself away from work and family to complete and grow through this course.  One of the headlines on a slide read: Cultivate relaxed attention, intention, awareness and presence.  Dang - I'm already slipping on day one!  It was unsettling - not a feeling or experience I wanted to have.  

Though I knew the rest of the module would be tough for me to maintain full presence due to the scheduling confusion and my inability to eliminate some distractions, I committed myself to ensuring I brought intention and increased, dedicated presence to the rest of the course.  

Despite this inner-challenge, I left excited and energized, ready for day 2!  

Stay true.

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Listing of the 6 modules:

1. Introduction to Leadership Coaching (2.25 CEUs)

2. Coaching for Breakthrough Results (2.25 CEUs)

3. Coaching for Human and Adult Development (2.1 CEUs)

4. Identity & Culture in Leadership Coaching (2.1 CEUs)

5. Leadership Coaching in a System (2.1 CEUs)

6. Leadership Coaching Integration (1.8 CEUs)