The Courage of a Thousand Tiny Steps
- Brian Duff
- Sep 12
- 2 min read
In the world of professional development, we often talk about progress in terms of milestones: a new certification, a big promotion, or a successfully launched project. But what about the moments in between? The weeks filled with vulnerability and self-doubt?
This week, my coach certification course has been a powerful reminder that growth is not always a smooth, linear path. It's a journey of ups and downs. One day, I feel incredibly confident after a breakthrough session; the next, a "poor" session leaves me questioning my abilities and whether I'm cut out for this at all.
This ebb and flow of confidence is a humbling, yet profoundly valuable, part of the process. Every difficult session, every moment of self-doubt, is not a failure - it's an opportunity. It's in these moments that I'm learning the most about myself: my triggers, my blind spots, and my capacity to sit with discomfort.
Through it all, I'm realizing a core truth about coaching: there are thousands of different paths a conversation can take. My job isn't to control the outcome, but to show up with the right tools and a deep presence, allowing the client's path to reveal itself. This shift in perspective is what truly equips me to help many people in the future.
I'm applying my own CUSP pathway of thinking to this challenge:
C - Center: Myself & My Intentions
I am centering myself and my intentions. I am acknowledging that the self-doubt is real, but it's a temporary feeling, not a reflection of my long-term capability.
U - Uncover: Hidden Lessons
I'm uncovering the hidden lessons. The "poor" sessions are teaching me more than the "good" ones. They are lessons in humility, presence, and non-attachment to a specific outcome.
S - Source: Resilience
I am sourcing my own resilience. I am realizing that every session, good or bad, is equipping me with the tools and experience to guide others on their own journeys.
P - Propel: Forward with Curiosity
I am propelling myself forward. I'm choosing to see each session as a new experiment and a chance to learn through curiosity, rather than a final judgment of my skills.
By embracing this process, I am noticing just how resilient I am. The courage isn't in avoiding the doubt, but in sitting with it and trying again tomorrow. That, I am learning, is the true mark of a coach.
Let's Connect
If you're feeling stuck on your own professional journey, or are curious about how coaching can help you navigate these kinds of challenges, book a chemistry session belowok a discovery call. Let's explore how we can CUSP your own path forward.
