Are you making this mistake as a Kids Life Coach?

I often get asked by novice coaches and students who do their Kids Life Coach Certification with me: "What is the biggest mistake you can make as a Kids Life Coach"

My answer always goes something like along the lines of...

"Imagine a world where every child's dream is nurtured into a possibility, where the sky's the limit, and encouragement fuels their journey. As a Kids Life Coach, you play a pivotal role in this magical process. Yet, even with the best efforts to inspire and motivate, there is a small pitfall that can stop a child from reaching their full potential."

Then they ask me what I mean and I start throwing two pertinent questions back at them.

Question 1:  "What is your dream?"

The answers range from building an orphanage to having a thriving coaching practice to doing what I love to earn an income so that my family can have better opportunities. In all my years of asking this questions, I have found that no two dreams are the same. Sometimes the dreams are small and intimate and some are big and audacious but all of them are a very personal journey. Once we have unpacked their current dream and vision for the future, I ask them ...

Question 2: "What was your dream as a child and have you achieved it?"

Sadly, some have said they can't remember and those that do remember mostly haven't achieved it because somebody  told them they couldn't or shouldn't and they are also usually full of excuses. 

You see, dreaming big is more than just a phrase or a phase... it's a foundational step towards building a resilient, confident, and innovative future.  Children, with their untainted perspective of the world, have the unique ability to envision endless possibilities. Usually our role as a Kids Life Coach, in encouraging these dreams is not just beneficial but essential, as it lays the groundwork for a mindset that believes in achieving the impossible.

As Kids Life Coaches, our mission transcends beyond mere guidance; it's about igniting a spark that propels children towards their dreams with enthusiasm and belief in their capabilities. However, the essence of coaching isn't to direct but to support. It's about providing the tools and confidence for children to navigate their path, discover their passions, and understand that their dreams have value.

So what then is this big mistake you can make as a Kids Life Coach?

The most critical mistake you can make as a coach is oversteering—a well-intentioned yet misguided attempt to shape a child's dream to fit your own visions or unfulfilled aspirations. This oversteering can cloud a child's authentic desires, leading them to pursue goals not out of passion but obligation. The consequence? A dream that lacks personal significance and the joy of achievement becomes diminished.

Awareness is the first step towards supporting children to dream big. Recognizing oversteering involves a reflective look at our own coaching practices:

• Are you listening more than you speak?
• Are you asking questions that encourage self-exploration?
• Are you suggesting predefined paths rather than allowing organic growth?

Avoiding this pitfall of shaping a child's dream for them, means fostering an environment where children feel safe to express their wildest dreams, knowing they have our support to explore them, however unconventional they may be. There are enough parents and teachers and other adults in their lives telling them to be sensible and encouraging them to put a lid on their idealistic thinking. 

Your job is not to do that! 

Empowerment comes from equipping the young dreamers that you coach with the tools to explore, fail, learn, and succeed. It's about teaching them resilience, the value of hard work, and the understanding that every setback is a step forward. Your role is to be their cheerleader, their sounding board, and when necessary, their guide—but never the captain of their ship.

As a global network of Kids Life Studio® Coaches, our ultimate goal is to see children not just dream but dream BIG with the belief that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. This journey begins with us—recognizing our influence and ensuring it's wielded to uplift, inspire, and empower. Let's commit to being the wind beneath their wings, not the anchor at their feet, as we guide them towards a future where their dreams know no bounds.

Together, let's foster a world where every child feels empowered to reach for the stars.