Week 9 - Reflective Entry

My role as a coach:

As a coach for this assignment, I tried to get my coachee to focus on the future. I first asked her how this assignment had affected her this week, in order for her to reflect on the different aspects of the assignment. Then I went on to see if she believed it would have any long term effects and if she would continue to show gratitude. I wished to have her reflect on how this could potentially help in leading positive change.

I felt we were able to have a good conversation. The flow of it felt natural, and the questions came easy. I also had the feeling that my coachee was able to really reflect on the questions and provide satisfying answers. And as my coachee reflected on the questions, I realized that being more grateful might also affect the people around us. When we receive a compliment, or a token of appreciation, our spirit is lifted. Thinking of this made the connection between gratitude and leading positive change clearer for me. I believe showing gratitude might be very beneficial in a work situation – it will help co-workers feel appreciated, acknowledged and it might also motivate them even more.

My role as a coachee:

As a coachee, I was asked about maturity in relation to gratitude. After sharing my example about having dinner served every day growing up, my coach asked me if this perhaps was due to maturity. And I would have to agree with this. As a child I took it for granted, but now, coming home for the holidays is an extra treat, and I appreciate the efforts my parents make. Perhaps gratitude in fact comes with maturity. You gain insight in the efforts behind other people’s actions, and knowing what these actions demand, you gain new insight and gratitude.

My coach also asked me about vulnerability, and if I think this is a factor when discussing gratitude. What if you show gratitude and this is not appreciated? This had been the case for her, but I had not connected these two concepts before, so for me this was an interesting and new perspective.

She also asked me if I would continue keeping a gratitude journal. And I think it would be a good idea. Right now, after this assignment, I am more aware of my gratitude towards other people. But if I don’t continue to keep focus on it, I feel it is likely to escape my mind, and then pretty soon I will find myself in my old habits again. And because my goal is to improve showing gratitude, I’ve decided to keep a list of what I am grateful for, in addition to whom I want to show gratitude towards. Hopefully, this will eventually lead me to show my gratitude more naturally in the future, and might be a positive factor in my work life.

Ingrid Elisabeth Sørensen