Inspired by the podcast of Rachel Woods with coaching-outdoors.com and already on my wish list to share with you, is the content of my backpack. It is wonderful to see that other coaches share their knowledge and wisdom on what is essential in Outdoor Coaching.
I bought my backpack a couple of years ago and am really happy with the comfort of the backpack. I take it when I go walking with the dog and when I go coaching. The content for a walk with the dog looks a bit different then when I go coaching. The dog needs water and I need food and water, when we go out, the two of us. For coaching read on.
Let me tell you, this is not an advertisement, it is my personal experience after doing some research and experimenting. Deuther, Futura 22SL, sea green. It has a nice frame, so air can flow between my back and the backpack. It takes the weight of my shoulders, when it is fully packed.
What did trigger me to start using a backpack, beside the water for the dog.
I started using a backpack after I completed the book “De Wensboom” by Peter Krijger. In this book you will find the complete explanation on how to draw your tree and how to analyse it. It is in Dutch! I found that so insightful. Not every coachee finds a tree in nature that corresponds with their idea. Or the coachee has not yet gained the experience of outdoor life coaching and needs to ease into the process. This tool is very helpful to get a coachee started on what Nature can do for the coachee.
So in my backpack I have white paper and pencils. To be used for drawing a tree or taking notes.
Every session is different, every coachee is different. One coachee just wants to sit next to a lake and chat. Just simply staring across the water. The next just wants to walk and talk, maybe sit occasionally. For this I have 2 mats to lay over a tree trunk or a wet bench. I just went to Decathlon, bought the cheapest yoga mat and cut it in half. Dry and comfortable.
If the heavens do decide to open up, against our expectations, I have two raincoats. Simple foldaway plastic ones, but the do the trick!
What else can be found in my backpack?
Over time and through research I have accumulated more things for the backpack. One of these silly items is a juggling ball. Now I can hear you wonder, “What? A juggling ball and Outdoor Life Coaching?”. It might happen that a session comes to a standstill, due to all sorts of reasons. One way of getting the energy back is getting the juggling ball out and start tossing the ball and with every throw mention a colour. Silly? Yes! The effect is that we get energy back in the session and from there on we move forward.
Does this mean I am not competent enough as a coach to keep the session on track? No, as a coach you never know how a session will go once you start. I can have really good idea for our next session, however it might not be what you need. That means, I have to switch tactics on the spot. That is part of the job. The juggling ball creates a new atmosphere, which is sometimes needed in order to move forward.
Another great item is the bubble pot. Such a simple item, that when we use it will bring you back to your childhood. An item of simple fun and pleasure.
Essentials items
A basic first aid kit, as we never know when we might be hugging a tree stump! Or trip over a tree root.
A water bottle, to keep hydrated. Toilet paper, if you stay hydrated and in between sessions this coach needs a wee.
A fully charged mobile phone. Not just to use in case of emergency. Sometimes I use it to make a picture for a client if the coachee asks this. It could because we are in a place that he/she wants to remember. Or has made a deep impression after a ritual.
Would you like to know more about me and my backpack and where you can find us, send me an email and lets meet up!
Resource https://coaching-outdoors.com/episode-7-rachel-woods/
