Climbing towards growth: bouldering and coaching!
Jacqueline Libert | november 29, 2024
As psychologists we usually like to dive deep, but during our annual team outing we did things differently: we climbed to great heights in the bouldering hall of Groningen! What started as a fun team activity quickly became a source of inspiration for our work. Below, you’ll read about what bouldering can teach you about what coaching can mean for you.
Take a step back. You see many more possibilities on a bouldering wall when you’re a bit further away, rather than when you’re right up close to it. This also applies to coaching: a coach provides a broader perspective on your challenges. In a way, everyone is climbing their own mountain in life, and sometimes you need an external perspective to take the right steps.
Do it together. By watching each other climb and giving each other tips, we progressed bit by bit, and it was also a lot more fun to do it together. Talk to others about your challenges; you can learn a lot from each other’s experiences. This is also why having a study buddy works so well.
You are the climber. Tips and advice are valuable, but it’s up to you to take the actual steps. That’s why we always give you exercises and tasks to work on yourself. Real growth happens outside the coaching space.
One example of such an exercise is Eat The Frog. This means starting with the task you dread the most. Once you’ve tackled that, you’ll a) feel a sense of accomplishment, and b) the other tasks on your list will seem easier by comparison!
Dare to relax. Sometimes, while bouldering, I was so tense that my muscles would fatigue, and I couldn’t climb anymore. Pushing yourself too hard can backfire. Keep listening to your body and treat yourself with care. It might feel a bit strange at first, but the way up is much easier when you’re more relaxed.
How do you do that—relax? Start with doing a little less overall, so you don’t have to rush all the time. Simple, not always easy. Additionally, a breathing exercise can be a nice reset for your system. Find a quiet spot, set a timer for 5-10 minutes, and consciously follow your inhale and exhale. Making your exhale slightly longer than your inhale has a relaxing effect on your nervous system, for example, 3 seconds in, 5 seconds out. Do this at least once a day and see what it does for you.
It’s okay to fall. Making mistakes or falling back into old patterns is a natural part of the learning process. You actually learn very valuable lessons from these experiences, so try to embrace them! Every time you fall, you can learn something new. A simple and effective way to do this is by journaling regularly, reflecting on your behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Buy a nice notebook or journal that you use for this purpose, and choose a specific time each day or week to pause and reflect.
Everyone does it their own way. There are countless ways to reach the top. Some people swing up like a monkey, while others carefully study the route first. There’s no right or wrong—just your own style.
Enjoy the journey. It’s not just about reaching the top, but also about the path to get there. The latter is what we call a growth mindset – the belief that we can face challenges, learn from them, and that making mistakes is part of the process. The most valuable moments are those when you’ve overcome a difficult route. Just like in life: even if you fall sometimes, you get back up and find a way to keep going. Let’s keep climbing together, and don’t forget to enjoy the view along the way!
