I first began blogging when I moved to Hong Kong almost three years ago. It was mostly to keep in touch with friends and family instead of writing emails and it was before I had discovered Facebook. This new blog is exciting for me because it is not just about me or my life, but about my experience in my new career as a Life Coach, observations about events that I attend to see great speakers and other coaches, and general discussions on topics that are hopefully thought provoking about the things we all go through in life in Hong Kong, or anywhere. This is not a "How To" but merely a conversation, or reflection. I really hope you enjoy it and will get in touch if you have thoughts or comments or if there is anything that you want to hear about..
When we arrive in Hong Kong from where ever it is that we are from, many of us only know a few people, perhaps only colleagues. Even in a seemingly large city however, a special small town vibe emerges to help us feel at home and all of a sudden we are making new friends, and then in some cases, we feel like we know everyone. Even with all this however,the social life in the Kong can be taxing or for some,not varied enough, or simply lacking in depth.
Sometimes we walk through life on "autopilot" and we ask people how they are and vice versa. We respond "fine thank you" or some other blase´ and socially acceptable response. Do we or the person we are interacting with even care about the answer, or are these just the habitual niceties of daily existence that lead us to ask in the first place?
In my previous incarnation as a headhunter, during a time when deals were slow a Chinese colleague came to work one day wearing a beautiful watch. When I asked her if it was new, she said "Yes, the Chinese believe sometimes you need to put the money out,in order to make room for the money to come in."
After the traditional "Hello, what do you do?" question, and I reply "I am a Life Coach",
I love when I get the follow-on - "How are you qualified to tell me what to do with my life?".
Though the type of person who asks this question is not the kind of person looking for or even open to coaching, I do enjoy the exchange. It shows a fundamental misunderstanding of what a coach does.
I have a quotable magnet on my refrigerator that has been with me in three apartments across two continents over a period of more than five years. It reads: just when the caterpillar thought the world was over...it became a butterfly..."
I first began blogging when I moved to Hong Kong almost three years ago. It was mostly to keep in touch with friends and family instead of writing emails and it was before I had discovered Facebook. This new blog is exciting for me because it is not just about me or my life, but about my experience in my new career as a Life Coach, observations about events that I attend to see great speakers and other coaches, and general discussions on topics that are hopefully thought provoking about the things we all go through in life in Hong Kong, or anywhere. This is not a "How To" but merely a conversation, or reflection. I really hope you enjoy it and will get in touch if you have thoughts or comments or if there is anything that you want to hear about..
I have a quotable magnet on my refrigerator that has been with me in three apartments across two continents over a period of more than five years. It reads: just when the caterpillar thought the world was over...it became a butterfly..."
