The OCEANS Coaching Model

A Coaching Model By Tina Melson, Life Coach, Living in Indonesia, INDONESIA

OCEANS

We are all on our own journey through life with times of great change and other times when we are more settled. At times we feel like we are the captain of our own ship and in control of the chosen direction. At other times we feel we are being pulled along by the current of life, be it in a professional or personal context. At times we are happy to follow the current and enjoy the ride as it is aligned with our hopes, dreams, and values. At other times the currents seem to carry us away from what is important to us, even without us being aware. As we are carried further away from our dreams, goals, and values, we can feel discontent, bored, unfulfilled, and depressed.

As the captain of our ship, there are times when you may only see the top of the iceberg on the approach. The lookout in the crow’s nest can see much more from their viewpoint. By sharing this information, the captain can navigate away from or around the dangers and find a calmer path. In this model, the client is the captain and has control of the journey and the coach is the lookout, there to evoke awareness of the deeper situation so the client can navigate a safe route.

On the other hand, something like a Tsunami wave is a sudden, devastating event that are often unpredictable and cause trauma for many people when it hit populated areas. In life, it can feel like the effect of a tsunami when significant events like the death of a loved one or the loss of a job happen. Tsunamis are rare events, but storms come more often. We know they are coming, but we don’t know how strong they will be when they arrive. It is this fear of the unknown that can lead to anxiety and stress, often causing prolonged effects. The storm may fade away or perhaps strengthen into a hurricane. Jobs may be lost or nothing changes, but you have no control over the outcome.

These may be some of the reasons for clients to seek coaching and support through difficult times or it may be for a less dramatic reason, but coaching can help clients to evoke awareness of the situation.

My Journey to the Oceans Coaching Model  

Originally from England, I followed a traditional path where education was valued and was thought to be key to success, first working in a professional role in the UK and then in Germany. Then came a time for change and discovery as core values needed to be satisfied. A journey to new countries and cultures led to a career change and a very different life. We settled in Indonesia and started a business in the diving industry more than 20 years ago.  An aspect that has been important to me in the last 20 years has been the understanding and development of the people around me. Living in the Indonesian culture has given me an insight into a different set of values and beliefs and leaves me in a unique position of connecting with both Western and Asian cultures. With the pandemic giving a pause for reflection, it seemed time for a new direction and hence the move into coaching.

I am an Ocean lover! The Ocean has always been a constant for me. From a child that played on the beach and learned to swim in the sea, to diving as a hobby whenever possible, to running a diving business to introduce new people to the unique pleasure of being part of the ocean environment and allowing those that have already discovered the beauty of the ocean, to indulge in this passion.

Oceans are amazingly beautiful, strong, continuous, interconnected, and yet fragile. Oceans are vast and cover our planet, connecting all people and places.  Ocean were created to be connected as were we. Oceans offer opportunities and challenges alongside this connectivity, which provides a perfect analogy for a coaching model. Connection means different things in varied situations, but here we are looking at being connected within ourselves and with others. To have this connection with others gives a sense of belonging, like in the ocean where fish swim together to make up a shoal or a group of scuba divers chat passionately about their discoveries during diving that day.

The aim of the Oceans coaching model is for the client to navigate towards feeling this connection and enable a happier, more fulfilling life.

Alongside the image of the Oceans, I have used the acronym of Oceans to reflect aspects of my coaching model.

Oceans Coaching Model

O           Opportunity
C            Connection
E            Environment
A            Attitude
N           Nature
S            Strengths

Opportunity

• Reframing change as a potentially positive opportunity.
• Embracing new challenges as an opportunity.
• Becoming aware of patterns creates an opportunity to choose a different path.

Connection

• Attuned to deeper feelings
• Embrace openness and trust
• Cultivation and investment of time in emotional relationships that nourish & strengthen

Environment

• Creating healthy boundaries
• Balanced in all aspects of life
• Self-care

Attitude

• Looking for the silver lining on every cloud.
• Growth mindset. Open and willing to learn and change perspective
• Being courageous

Nature

• Recognizing your true nature.
• Being your authentic self.
• Align with your nature.

Strengths

• Using strengths and talents to develop confidence.
• Recognition and development of weaknesses.
• Using courage to overcome adversity and develop resilience.

The Strengthsfinder tool may help with uncovering strengths and weaknesses.

Reflection Questions

1. What is your new learning about yourself?
2. What have you discovered about your nature?
3. What was the most enlightening thing that you have learned about yourself?
4. What really matters to you?
5. What are you doing to nurture yourself ??
6. What level of balance do you have in your life?
7. How do your connections with others sustain you?
8. What relationships would you like put more energy into?
9. When was a time when your positive attitude made a difference?
10. What would other people say are your top strengths?
11. What would you say your top strengths are?
12. How are you using these strengths?

The Oceans Model

The Oceans model looks at many facets of a client’s situation. The client will decide where to concentrate first, but all of these facets are connected and are part of their journey. Some will want to navigate local seas before heading out to the open ocean, whereas others will choose to discover new oceans immediately. But what is important is that the client is the captain of their own ship and will decide in which direction the coaching will take and their end destination.