Facilitator Tip: Ride On!
Do something different!
Do you remember learning to ride your first bike? How impossible it seemed at first? And how impossible it now is to imagine it was ever hard? Remember the first time you facilitated a group on your own? Were you nervous? I remember both events quite well… Aligning the pedals up just right for a strong, solid first push… Sequencing the right activities to best meet the needs of the client… Doing everything you could to set yourself up for success.
I love the metaphor of the training wheel. You really only need training for a short time, before you take that training wheel off and make it your own. This is true for learning how to ride a bike, as well as the work we do as Trainers and Facilitators.
Most of us are only with our clients for a short amount of time. Then we sit back and observe how our participants implement the goals that are set during the program. Off come the training wheels and you dutifully, dotingly, and sometimes reluctantly let them go while galloping breathlessly at their side.
And so you watch, beaming with pride over their first solo trips. Impressed beyond belief with their courage and determination. Stunned by their natural talent and ambition to grow. Humbled by their willingness to risk a fall. Comforted by knowing that they’re exactly where they most wanted to be. All while providing support and direction if they need it, and contemplating just how far they will go.
Ride on!
Have fun out there,
Michelle Cummings
Owner/Trainer/Big Wheel
Training Wheels
Founder / Facilitator / Big Wheel of Training Wheels
