A Mom and More

“Coaching is an ongoing relationship between the professional coach and the client, which focuses on the client taking action toward the realization of their vision, goals or desires. Coaching uses a process of inquiry and personal discovery to build the client’s level of awareness and responsibility and provides the client with structure, support and feedback. ” – College of Executive Coaching

I have not been blogging as often as I used to because I’ve been trying to develop myself in the field of nontraditional nonformal education.  Simply, I am  learning to be a teacher, mentor, trainer or coach — a possible lifelong career for a mom past 50 who desires to continue being useful, helpful and youthful.

This 23 January 2010, together with a very competent and compassionate coach Albert A. Basa (Top 3, April 2009 LET) and topnotchers and professional teachers, I will help conduct and administer another round of LET review for would-be teachers at the MindGym in Quezon City.  With a new set of competencies, a change in the focus of evaluation and a host of other adjustments in the LET effected last October 2009 — part of a would-be teacher’s preparation for his/her licensure exams would be to choose a review center which would provide targeted refresher sessions and pertinent review materials for impact and time management.

Using proven memory techniques and study aids practiced by MindGym memory coach Albert, the LET review sessions would empower reviewees during test taking as they are given tips to easily memorize theories and concepts of psychology, philosophy and education — necessary for analyzing classroom situationals in the licensure exams.

While MindGym is a start up learning center, it’s performance as far as producing topnotchers and passers has been commendable.  It has coached two of the October 2009 LET topnotchers: Angelica “Ericka” Villafuerte (Top 4) and Sheryll Raquipiso (Top 5).  In teacher Ericka’s feedback at sulit.com.ph, she writes:

I took the exam last October 2009 and enrolling in MindGym was definitely the best decision I made in preparation for the LET.

The coaching was very thorough, and given that the class was limited to only a few people, we were able to set our own pace for the review. The MindGym coaches were very approachable and took the time to make sure that none of the reviewees were left behind.  It also helped that we were free to ask questions or have something repeated for clarification.

Also, the environment was very conducive for learning and not very constricting (as I’ve heard that other review centers fill auditoriums with reviewees to the point that those in the back cannot even hear the lecturers, nor are all the questions entertained).

The drills were very helpful too as it trained us to work under pressure.  It also allowed us to keep track of topics we were having difficulty with.

I can honestly say that I would not have been able to pass (and thankfully, top) the LET if not for MindGym.

Are you an education graduate who would like to take the licensure test for teachers soon?  Or, do you know anyone who has been teaching for a while and still lacks the necessary license to get a permanent position or to get promoted in school.  This intensive coaching at MindGym would be a good investment for a noble lifetime career:  being a teacher.  And I am blessed to be — not just a coach but the mom to all in this LET review.

When I was younger, gainfully employed and had the luxury of time, I’d start shopping for Christmas gifts for my parents, siblings, other relatives, friends, coworkers, business associates, and godchildren as early as July.  I kept a list of people I had to buy gifts, send cards, or treat out for Christmas lunch or  dinner.  And, for myself I’d spend a sizable sum to prepare for all the Christmas parties I’d have to attend by buying new clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories (as if I were the Celebrant).

• spending using credit cards and scout for the best price before buying a gift;
• gift shopping for only the most important people (my family) and most worthy recipients (the workers and helpers who have been my “angels” in school) — to reduce undue stress;
• clutter and piles of stuff for my gift recipient by giving a gift check or card, a magazine or online subscription, a concert ticket, a spa or facial coupon, a book or food certificate to a gift recipient’s favorite store or restaurant;
• unwanted pounds, fats and calories gained by my recipient by omitting sweets, cakes, and cookies and substituting them with fresh fruits, juices, and non-oily seasoning and homemade condiments.

Reuse

• old gift wrappers, cardboard, boxes, pieces of cloth, plastic, ribbons and other wrapping paraphernalia to wrap my gift creatively;
• Christmas cards as gift tags instead of buying a deck of new cards;
• sturdy paper bags from international brand shops to carry several  gifts for individual family members;
• idle materials and craft them into great personalized gifts to be kept for years as gifts of valuable time;
• and revive my talent for writing my own Christmas greeting for e-cards rather than buying others’ canned commercial greetings; making short poems or prayers using my gift recipients initials or letters of his/her name;

Recycle

• a friend’s photos from an old scrapbook and have it collaged for a photo mug, a shirt, a memorabilia frame, or mouse pad to rekindle friendship and remind a good friend of times past;
• an unwanted item from the closet, read-but-almost new books gathering dust in the bookshelves, a hastily bought clothing or houseware on sale which has never been used for years, an extra corporate gift — to give to someone who will find it useful or to sell on ebay or other auction sites for cash to use for other gifts;
• quotes which I have been collecting by compiling them into a stack of inspirationals grouped according to subject matter;
• my kids’ artwork by having it professionally framed, and given away for an aunt or uncle’s den;
• by patronizing eco-friendly groups selling items from recycled materials.

I am sure that my reduce, reuse, and recycle theme this Christmas would not only ease my stress but it would also refocus, reorient, and rechannel my gift giving to the true meaning, the real reason for  the Christmas season and Christ’s birth:  giving of one’s self, sharing from the heart, and loving beyond Christmas time — not just others but myself as well.

Any other gift ideas to match my gift theme this year?

This is the first time that I have ever written my new year’s resolutions.  I do not recall writing New Year’s resolutions in my past 51 years of life although I have always prayed and hoped to make myself better with each start of a new year.  I have heard countless people making new year’s resolutions as a matter of tradition and then breaking them shortly, never committing nor working at plans to get them done – that I didn’t want to bother myself with the added pressure of having New Year’s resolutions and feeling guilty I failed to make them happen.

I read that New Year’s resolutions should be inspiring, specific, doable, and time-bounded.  Moreover, these should set the direction of the days ahead, be congruent to our life goals, and spring us to act on areas in our lives which needs improvement.  To achieve our resolutions, these should be broken into baby steps taken a day/week/month at a time; regularly evaluated, and adjusted.  And, with visual reminders conspicuously written in our work stations, personal planners, or fridge doors, we can remain on track.

Curious about what people are pledging to do this 2009, I browsed the web and saw it replete with interesting accounts of New Year’s resolutions: for economic survival, for health and wellness, for writing efficiency, and for a happy family life (even with cheating husbands).

Here’s my own action list for 2009 as a mom and more.  My detailed timetable and strategies would be too personal to share here; I will just post entries about my progress (and even bottlenecks) in the days ahead.

Assert, accept, add
Lighten, launch, love
Imagine, improve, ignore
Clear, connect, coach
Examine, exercise, earn

Posting this would serve as a reminder of — a priority I need to work on, the only asset I can optimize to fulfill my mission in life during hard times, and the VIP I’ve long set aside to please everyone — myself.  This 2009, it’s about time that I recharge, rejuvenate, and repackage myself so that I will have something of value to continue offering, giving, and sharing with others.

P.S. This entry may seem stale with 1 January already weeks back but I’m glad I can post it just in time for the Chinese New Year. Kung Hei Fat Choy! (as if I’m Chinese)