Soon after a friend turned 16, a winter storm hit his town. His dad tossed him the car keys, then sent him to an empty parking lot to learn how to drive in the snow.
We can read about how to handle a car in the snow, and someone can tell us how to do it too. That information is helpful, but it can’t beat the experience of exploring driving in the snow on our own.
Information ≠ Transformation
I’ve been asked what the difference between coaching and therapy is. This is one of them: therapy is focused on information, while coaching is focused on transformation.
This is what schools are missing. We’ve all been trained in the fallacy that information alone leads to transformation. It doesn't.
Year after year in my engineering lab after school, I’d have students come in to work on projects. Most of the students who performed well in classrooms had a challenging time translating classroom learning into practice.
Classrooms are usually focused on information. Presentations are usually focused on information. Professional development is usually focused on information.
Information ≠ Transformation
We are in the midst of a stress, anxiety, and depression epidemic. You can see it on social media, you can see it in the way people hold and express themselves, you can hear it in the way people talk.
In a culture that prioritizes information over transformation, you can begin to see why. There are so many ways we think we are screwed up, we have screwed up, and the world is screwed up. It’s all so much!
People are stressed and they want freedom!! We carry the weight of information on our shoulders, and more information isn’t much of a way out.
But transformation is. Transformation is accessing power, freedom, peace of mind, self-expression, love, enjoyment, and soul-alignment. RIGHT NOW.
In the face of all circumstances.
Here are a few quotes from clients - I share them not to share about me, but to share what transformation sounds like.
“I knew my conversation with Mick would be valuable, but I'm in awe of just how insightful it was. I feel more free than I have the past two years of my life. I have no idea how he did it, but this is miracle-work.” KF
“I’ve been dealing with a particular issue in my life for the last 13 years that’s caused me to doubt myself, question my worth, and sometimes wonder whether others really wanted me in their life, even some of the people closest to me. I never would’ve thought it could get resolved in a single conversation, and it did. My conversations with Mick truly are a miracle.” GG
“I wasn’t sure how you were going to do it, but you brought us back to a beautiful place.” HG
“You’ve helped me let go of the grip. I feel so much more relaxed, peaceful. I’m certainly going to replace worry with love.” CS
There’s nothing wrong with information - it can be extremely helpful. Let’s just not fool ourselves:
Information ≠ Transformation
P.S. As a transformational coach - a life coach, a soul coach - I help teens, adults, and organizations move beyond their self-imposed limitations to be their best and feel their best. If you’re interested in finding out how I can support you or your organization, reach out and let’s talk. 💌